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'library of congress.^ 

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I 1 j^4 * 

| UXITED STATES OF AMERICA. * 






THE 

KAPE OF PROSERPINE. 

WITH 



Claud. 



THE 

RAPE OF PROSERPINE: 
WITH OTHER POEMS, 

jfrom Claufctan; 

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE. 

WITH A PREFATORY DISCOURSE, AND 
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 



BY JACOB GEORGE STRUTT. 



T 

LONDON: 

PRINTED BY A. J. VALPY, TOOKE'S COURT, 
CHANCERY LANE. 

SOLD BY MESSRS. LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, 

PATERNOSTER ROW ', 

AND J08IAH CONDER, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. 




181*. 



PREFACE 



Ihe poet, from whose works the following selection is 
translated, was a native of Alexandria, and flourished at 
Rome in the time of the Emperors Honorius and Arcad- 
ius ; his character as a writer was of the highest reput- 
ation, and he enjoyed, for a long period, the favor of the 
court, to the glory of which his muse was chiefly devoted. 
His prosperity, however, was interrupted by the ruin of 
his friend and patron, Stilicho, the great general and min- 
ister of the Western Empire ; and the few remaining 
years of the poet were passed in poverty and disgrace : 
but his name is preserved and esteemed in every country> 



VI 

and posterity classes him among the most celebrated 
heroic poets. 

It has been the study of the translator to present to the 
English reader, as far as the genius of the language admit- 
ted, a correct view of the style and manner of his author, 
for which purpose he has chosen the exterior decoration 
of blank verse, as being more sonorous and majestic than 
rhyme, and better adapted to express the varied excellence 
of the poet, the powerful redundancy, and the occasional, 
and grateful, brevity of his muse. A due attention has, 
likewise, been paid to exhibit such of his works only as 
present his poetical character in the fairest light ; those 
are consequently avoided which denote a courdy and ser- 
vile flatterer. The Rape of Proserpine is, perhaps, the 
only one of his larger pieces, so entirely unmixed with 
baser matter, as to demand our unqualified praise ; but 
the poem of Ruiinus has been admitted, in order to exhibit 
the talents of Claudian, exerted upon a subject that justly 



VII 



required the extreme of his invective. These two, with a 
few smaller poems, complete the plan of the present 
work. 

The peculiar beauties of Claudian consist in a certain 
delicacy and tenderness of thought, united to bold and 
luxuriant description : but in no one of his productions are 
these qualities so decided, and so unadulterate, as in the 
Rape of Proserpine, wherein alone we perceive the true 
vigour of the poet, unrestrained by the degrading necessity 
of administering to the vanity of contemporary greatness, 
and exerted upon a theme in itself rich and inspiring. If 
indeed we compare this poem with the other pieces pro- 
duced by the same author, we shall find it entirely free 
from those defects which have hitherto cast a veil of re- 
proach over his fame, that strain of adulation and extra- 
vagant metaphor, from which the more moderate reader 
of the present day turns with apathy or disgust. Even in 
our own times, among the works of our native poets, how 



via 

■ 



short-lived is the breath of mere panegyric ! The odes 
and songs of Waller are yet listened to with delight, but 
the language of the same writer is forgotten when he cele- 
brates Charles, or records the fame of Cromwell ; and yet, 
to English ears, these are more memorable personages than 
Honorius and Arcadius, or Stilicho, to whom Claudian 
has devoted so large a portion of poetry and praise. 

In the Rape of Proserpine the author seems to have 
enlarged with considerable variation, upon the fable 
sketched out by Ovid in his Metamorphoses ; the con- 
struction is not purely epic ; the most important incidents 
are too much hurried in the opening of the piece, and 
other deviations from strict rule may be found ; yet such 
is the splendor and majesty of this beautiful production, 
and so just and natural its pathos, that it has excited in 
an eminent degree the attention and praise of a num- 
erous and learned class of readers, and has undergone a 
variety of translations into the Italian and French langua- 



IX 



ges, while the remaining works of the poet have been, by 
no means, so generally esteemed. This partiality is very 
justly due to a poem, which the author himself preferred 
beyond any other of the fruits of his invention or study, 
and upon which he appears to have intended to build his 
fame. The story of Proserpine is frequently alluded to 
by our most eminent writers ; Shakespeare, in " the Win- 
ter's tale," makes Perdita regret the inclemency of the 
season, that afforded her so few flowers to adorn her feast, 
exclaiming 



•O, Proserpina, 



For the flowers now, that, frighted, thou lett'st fall 

From Dis's waggon ! daffodils, 

That come before the swallow dares, and take 

The winds of March with beauty; violets, dim, 

But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes, 

Or Cytherea's breath ; pale primroses, 

That die unmarried,— — .■ ■ ■ 



Milton, likewise, in dwelling upon the beauties of Eden, 
seems to carry in his mind, throughout the whole of his 
description, a mute comparison of that delicious garden, 
to the no less enchanting plains of Enna ; 



-Not that fair field 



Of Enna, where Proserpin gathering flowers, 
Herself a fairer flower, by gloomy Dis 
Was gather'd, which cost Ceres ail that pain 
To seek her through the world— 



-might with this paradise 



Of Eden strive. Paradise Lost, iv. 268. 

The poem of Rufinus, although less calculated to please 
than the Rape of Proserpine, possesses many passages of 
singular beauty, as well descriptive, as of moral dignity ; 
it would be perhaps difficult to discover, even in the ad- 
mired pages of Horace or Virgil, more elegant strains, or 
more pleasing philosophy, than the calm reflections of the 



XI 



poet, upon a view of the comparison of courtly grandeur, 
with the charms of rural ease and retirement.* Our 
great poet Milton appears, at a very early age, to have 
studied this poem, and to have partly employed it as a 
model for his first attempt towards framing a production in 
the style of Epic dignity, in his Latin work, u De Quinto 
Novembris," in which the dawnings of that brilliant genius 
may be 'discovered, which afterwards so conspicuously 
shone forth in the unrivalled composition of Paradise lost. 
This similarity is extremely obvious upon comparing the 
first book of Rufinus with the latin poem of Milton, and 
it is confirmed upon a closer inspection of particular 
passages : the following extracts will perhaps be sufficient 
to awaken the attention of the curious reader to a further 
consideration of the subject. 



Alecto late, with envy and dismay, 
* See Rufinus, i. HI. 



xu 



Observed how all the earth was bless J d with peace' : 
Promptly to horrid council she invokes 
Th' infernal sisters ; and assembles swift 
Innumerable shapes of strife, — 

Claudian, 

Milton, transferring the scene of action to the British 
shores, and substituting Satan for Alecto, has the follow- 
ing passage ; 

This island, blest with wealth and festive peace, 
Satan observ'd, deck'd with Cerean spoils, 
Her plenteous fields, and, what he inly grieved, 
A people worshipping high God alone. 

deep sighs burst from his tortured breast. 

Mingled with lurid sulphur and dark flame. 

his kindling eye-balls flash 

Fierce fury, and his iron teeth he grinds 
Implacable : 



Xlll 



The Fury in Claudian thus discloses her regrets and her 
hatred ; 

Shall then this age untroubled pass away 
And nations dwell in order and in peace ? 
Whence this new clemency that mars our reign i 
Why harmless falls our rage ? 



-let us attempt 



What fits our name, resume our wonted power, 
And plan some mischief mightier than our foes. 

In a similar tone of surprise and anger Satan is made 
to exclaim — 

And have I ranged the world, and find alone 
This isle, said he, this lamentable land, 
Rebellious, and more powerful than my art ? 
O, yet, revenge, if aught my strength avails, 
Though long delay'd, shall strike this destined soil. 



XIV 



In the poem of Claudian, Alecto assumes the disguise 
of old age, and excites Rufinus to place himself under her 
guidance ; with similar contrivance, the British poet 
arrays his evil agent in the venerable garb and semblance 
of years, more fully to impress the slumbering pontiff 
with the high importance of his visit, and at once to 
demand respect and obedience. The principal circum- 
stances in the story of Rufinus are related with historic 
truth. 

Upon the Phoenix, Claudian has exerted the most 
brilliant powers of language, and the Translator has 
selected it to afford an example to the English reader, 
of the gorgeous and redundant style of the Author ; but 
the splendid extravagance of the story is too wild and 
fictitious to be treated upon, even in verse, and ought 
only to be employed by the poet, as a rich and beautiful 
allusion. 



XV 



With respect to the present publication, although the 
translator may not feel it necessary to apologize for intro- 
ducing his classic original to the public, yet he cannot 
but express his hope that it will receive with indulgence 
his attempt to engraft upon English letters, one of those 
ancient fables, which, abounding in fancy, and rich in 
lofty and varied sentiment, have lent enchantment to 
the poet, and awakened the skill of the painter and the 
sculptor. Among the numerous original productions 
of the present day there seems to be but little attempt 
to direct the stream of poetry into these neglected chan- 
nels of literature ; the pencil, indeed, is still devoted to 
the cause of Antiquity, and the Genius of Athens, and 
of Rome, animates the toil, and breathes upon the canvass 
of our modern artists ; but in the page of the poet we 
seldom now discover any traces of the records of those 
golden ages of learning and invention, when Homer and 
Theocritus sung, and Virgil, who did not disdain to study 
after his immortal predecessors. He too, of later times, 



XVI 



who, among our native bards, walks with unrivalled 
step, assuming to himself the title of one divinely 
inspired, and long since adorned with our highest praises, 
has not deemed it unworthy of his powers, to scatter 
among his works such treasures as the studious watch- 
fulness of his youth selected and obtained from the most 
renowned masters of Greece and Rome ; it has, indeed, 
been thought that Milton affected a display of learning, 
in his frequent allusions to classic imagery, and it has 
been attributed to him as a fault that he has so often 
imbued his pencil in the chaste colors of Antiquity; 
but, to every reader of true taste and feeling, additional 
beauty is derived from appropriate recollections of past 
ages; and the author of Paradise Lost has sufficiently 
proved that the laurels of Greece are not ungracefully 
entwined around the British oak. 



THE 

RAPE OF PROSERPINE, 



BOOK I. 



3[ntrotmction. 



XX E who first trusted to the faithless deep, 
And kiss'd the waves, with rude unfinish'd oar, 
Who rode upon the treach'rous element, 
Launched in a hollow'd elm, and gain'd through art 
A path which nature had denied to man ; 

Qlaud. A 



2 

Trembling at first, to tranquil seas alone 

He gives the cautious bark, and near to land 

Plies the yet timid oar ; more vent'rous soon 

A wider range his roving vessel steers, 

And to the gentle breathings of the south 10 

Expands her fluttering sail : but when his soul 

Acquires encreasing courage, and his heart 

The languid influence of fear rejects, 

He flies exulting o'er the boundless main, 

Following the stars of heav'n, and boldly dares 15 

iEgean winters and Ionian seas. 



THE 

RAPE OF PROSERPINE. 



15ook I. 



\JF HelPs dread ravisher, whose fiery car 

And ebon steeds affrighted from their sphere* 

The train of night ; of Pluto's bridal bow'r, 

Dark in its festive gloom with horrid shades, 

My lab'ring mind impels my eager voice £ 

In daring notes to sing. Hence, ye profane — 

Now inspiration breathes and lifts my soul 

Transported; all Apollo fires my breast : 

Before my sight the marble-structur'd fanes 

Tremble around, and from the glorious dome 10 



Beams of celestial radiance attest 

The advent of the god. Earth's num'rous shores 

Murmur applause, each blazing altar glows ; 

While notes triumphant from the sculptur'd walls 

Of Athens' sacred temple, or Eleusis , 15 

Swell on the raptur'd ear. The dragon yoke 

Exalt their shining crests, in calmed mood, 

And list the song, and wave their color'd necks. 

See Hecat rises, threefold queen ; and clad 

In tiger's spoils, clasp'd with refulgent gold, 20 

Gay Bacchus comes, in ivy garlands drest, 

And with the thyrsus guides his reeling steps. 

Ye whom the lesser pow'rs of hell obey, 
Immortals, to whose wealth unlimited 
Time adds decaying worlds, ye whom the Styx 25 

Surrounds with melancholy wave, while floods 
Of liquid flame brighten your dread abodes, 
Deign to reveal your hidden mysteries, 
And tell the secrets of your race ! O say, 



What torch of love inspired the gloomy king, SO 

What sudden seizure doom'd stern Proserpine 

To joyless Chaos ; tell through what wide shores 

Her anxious mother roved complaining. Whence 

Rude nations laws obtain'd, and o'er the fields 

Gay harvests rose where late the acorn fell. 35 

Longtime the prince of night in brooding thought 
Fierce war against the Thund'rerhad revolved, 
Kindled to ire that he alone should want 
Fit partner to his bed ; of all the gods 
That he sole joyless should consume his age 40 

Childless, and unendear'd by nuptial ties. 
And now from shadowy dens and caves of death 
Rushes each monstrous brood, the furies arm'd 
Provoke the fight, and fell Tisiphone 

With snaky hair waves high a burning pine, 45 

And calls the buried dead to join the strife. 

Then had the elements no more obey'd 



6 

The voice of nature, by the discord wild 

Loos'd from their firm allegiance ; the stern youth, 

Of Titan race, bursting his bonds, again 60 

The beaming splendor of the skies had seen ; 

And fierce iEgeon, from his gory shape 

Casting his manacles, once more had waked, 

And threaten'd heav'n with all his hundred hands. 

But such dire evils the controlling Fates 55 

Oppos'd, and fearing for the world^Jkuelt low 

Before the throne of Pluto, and their locks, . 

White with severest age, strew'd at his feet 

Imploring, and with sighs and moving tears 

Embraced the knees of their immortal king, 60 

Whose changeless will appoints the secret path 

That destiny pursues, and in whose mind 

Are lock'd the dark events of future years. 

First Lachesis, with wild dishevell'd hair, 
Address'd the fiery king : " O god of night, 65 

? Stern monarch of the dead ; for whom we ply 



u The ceaseless labors of the fatal loom ; 

" Ruler of Chaos, who to all things giv'st 

" Their origin and end, of nature's works 

u The cradle and the grave, sole arbiter 70 

w Of life and death. (For all of matter form'd 

" By thee created live, to thee return, 

" Shadowy ghosts, and, certain ages past, 

u These spirits of the dead again assume 

" Corporeal substance.) O seek not to rend 75 

u That web of peace our hands so firmly wove ; 

" Nor the harsh trumpet of discordant strife 

u Sound in fraternal ears. Why wave these signs, 

" Portending impious conflict ? Why appears 

" The hateful Titan brood? Ah, rather seek 80 

€t Willi lowly plaints to move ; so shall Jove grant 

" Thy utmost wishes, and to soothe thy cares 

" Yield a fit mate." — No more her falt'ring tongue ; 

Nor further argument the god required, 

But, blushing deep, relax'd his fierce design, So 

Though stern, nor us'd to bend. So when the North, 



8 



With furious whirlwinds and tempestuous hail, 

Rushes to battle upon stormy wings, 

Threat'ning the seas, the woods, the hills, the plains, 

With blust'ring rage— if haply Eolus 90 

Upbraid the gath 'ring strife, silent at once 

Sinks the vain tumult, and the calmed storms, 

Broken, retire into their peaceful cells. 

Then Maia's offspring he commands to bear 
His ardent suit to Jove. Swiftly appeared 95 

Cyllenius at his call, robed in light wings 
With shining casque, and sleep-inducing rod. 
He on his awful throne majestic sat 
Frowning in splendor, and with horrors plumed ; 
Gleam'd his huge sceptre through the frightful shade, 100 
Unusual darkness veil'd his lofty brow, 
And dimm'd his form, while sorrow to his mien 
Gave threefold terrors. Then aloud he spake : 
And at his voice through all her dismal courts 
Hell trembled, whilst the guardian of her gates 105 



9 

Silenced his monstrous throat, and each swift flood 
And fiery torrent check'd their furious streams 
And hush'd the boiling tumult of their waves. 
" Offspring of Atlas, whom these shades profound, 
"" And heav'n's fair light, receive, in both a god, 1 10 

" Sole privileged in either world to dwell, 
" Bear to the haughty ruler of the skies, 
" And swiftly speed thy flight, these my resolves — I 
" O most implacable, what right extorts 
4t To thee obedience ! When fortune gave 1 15 

" The glorious heav'ns, say did she also take 
" Thy brother's strength away ? are we bereft 
H Of arms and courage in these realms of night ? 
" Or dost thou deem us spiritless and weak 
" Because we brandish not Vulcanian steel, 120 

" Or cheat with sounds of thunder idle ears ! 
" Thou know'st, by lot deprived of brighter ^ay, 
" 1 took the third and baser portion, scenes 
' Hideous and wild ; but round thy joyous roof 
" The zodiac shone, and beauteous splendors dwelt. 125 



10 



" Dost 'thou prohibit, too, joys that attend 

" On wedded hours ? on hoary Neptune see 

" The azure daughter of Nereus smiles ; 

" And thee, when wars and victories oppress, 

" Imperial Juno soothes with kindred love. 130 

" Why should I tell how oft illicit flames 

u Have moved thee ! still a joyous race is thine, 

" Whilst I in lonely halls neglected mourn, 

" Nor solace find, nor rest from anxious cares. 

" Intolerable state ! by night's dark sire, 135 

" I swear, and this inviolable stream, 

" Be my complaints unheard, my rage shall wake 

" The very depths of hell, and Saturn's bonds 

u Unloose : darkness shall visit light, and day 

* Roll his bright axle to the caves of death !"— 14Q 

Scarce had he ended when the winged powr' 
Sprung up in airy flight, and gain'd the stars : 
But Jove had heard the mandate, and perplex'd 
With varying thoughts, deep in his breast revolved 



11 



Where likeliest to find one who would quit 145 

The radiance of the sun, for Stygian gloom, 
And Pluto's arms. At length his will decides, 

Ceres one fair and lovely daughter own'd ; 
A single pledge, for ne'er Lucina gave 
A second birth ; yet did the goddess seem 150 

Proudest of mothers, blest with Proserpine ; 
Who in herself, with rare perfection form'd, 
Alone appear'd to match the goodliest race. 
Her she caresses, and with anxious eye 
Follows her steps : not with more jealous care 155 

The lowing parent her young heifer guards, 
In fields when spring is wanton, ere the bud 
Of youth is fashion'd on its tender brow. 

Now to the verge of soft maturity 
Her days approach, and Hymen's glowing flame 100 

Inspires the maid with hopes and doubtful fears. 
Suitors crowd round ; and for her grace contend 



12 



Indignant rivals ; Mars who wields in fight 

The gleaming falchion, and Apollo famed 

For swift, unerring bow ; they proffer gifts, 165 

Wide realms and lofty tow'rs ; the god of war 

Yields up his Rhodope, and Phoebus gives 

Woody Amyclas and the Clarian walls : 

Juno is emulous of one so fair, 

And pleased Latona seeks her for her son. 170 

But Ceres scorns their suit, and fearing love 

May prompt some desp'rate deed, (ah, blind to fate !) 

Commends in secrecy her darling care 

To wild Sicilia's solitary isle. 

Join'd to th' Italian fields once lay that shore, 175 

Till the rude floods their furious force essay 'd, 

And Nereus rode between the sever'd hills. 

Yet small the space that parts the kindred plains, 

For Nature farther violence opposed, 

And rear'd her barrier-cliffs. Pachinus' rocks 180 

Deride th' Ionian tempests ; and the waves 

That roaring from the Afric soil advance, 



13 



Beat idly on the Lilybaean cape, 

Whilst the vex'd Tyrrhene deep, mad with control, 

On high Pelorus wastes its angry tides. 185 

Half hid by flames, in middle of the isle 

Etna uprears his tow'ring grandeur; proud 

Of glorious conquest o'er the giant foe, 

Wrathful Enceladus who, wounded, lies 

Enchain'd, and groaning with the mountain's weight, 1QO 

And breathing from his throat sulphureous fires. 

And oft, as press'd with his unwieldy load 

The rebel-giant turns his wearied sides, 

He makes whole cities tremble, and the isle 

To shake in dread convulsions on her seat. 195 

The mountain's summit is explored alone 
By upward-gazing eyes, nor e'er permits 
The traveller's vent'rous foot ; below thick groves 
Shadow the hill ; but on the parched heights 
No cheerful vegetation glads the sight. 200 

Now vomiting dark clouds it hides the day 



14 



With foul engender'd vapors, black and dense ; 

Now hurls against the stars tremendous rocks, 

And fiercely breathes with self-consuming fires. 

Yet, though with sateless fury burn those flames, £05 

Thou, Etna, still endur'st ; for high-heap'd snows 

And ribs of ice temper the boiling floods, 

To flow innoxious round thy frost-bound sides. 

What fury agitates ? what mighty powV 
Tempests this cavern'd hill ? whence flow these streams 
Vulcanian? either the rushing winds £11 

Pent up, and howling in the mould'ring caves, 
Struggle for liberty, with sulph'rous fires, 
And raging seek their exit ; or the sea, 
Press'd in the gloomy aud unfathom'd vaults 215 

Moves this destruction, mingling with the flames 

Soon as the tender mother had conceal'd 
Her treasured hope, to ancient Cybele, 
And Ida's woods, more calm, she bends her way, 



15 



G uiding her dragon yoke, who swiftly trace 220 

The airy region, and with venom'd dews 

Moisten their bits : High rose their crested fronts, 

Their variegated forms green hues reflect, 

And glist'ring gold. Through bands of Zephyrs' wings 

Now soars the car, now downward skims the plains ; 225 

Touch'd by the magic wheels, the dusty glebe 

Grows fertile ; suddenly rich grain upsprings, 

And clothes the sacred path, and ev'ry track 

Spontaneous harvests fill. Now Etna fades, 

And all Trinacria's isle melts on the view. 230 

Alas ! how oft, omens of future ill, 

Did rising tears obscure the mother's eyes ! 

How oft, with fond regret, did Ceres look 

Upon the fading fields, sighing these words, — 

" O pleasing shades, and thou, blest isle, preserve 235 

u The daughter of the skies ; to you I leave 

" The fairest of our race ; O safely guard 

" The much endearing maid ! Gifts shall be your's, 

" Of no inferior value ; ev'ry vale, 



16 

f* And upland sweep, abundant fruits shall yield, 240 

" Nor previous labor ask ; whilst floods of grain 
u Shall wave luxuriant, o'er untillaged fields, 
" And cheat the wond'ring native of his toil." — 

So spake the goddess, and on Ida's top 
Now stay'd her dragon steeds. A lofty pile, 245 

Of venerable workmanship, uprear'd 
Its splendid walls ; the fane of Cybele, 
By thick, innumerable boughs of pine 
Encompass'd, where low, mournful melodies, 
Resounding, sigh amid the whisp'ring leaves, 250 

Though by no breath of wind, or tempest stirr'd : 
Within fierce Bacchants rage, and all the fane 
Groans with mad orgies/ while their shrieks around 
Ida repeats, and bows her frighted woods. 

Soon as fair Ceres enters, straight the choir 255 

Silence their songs, the timbrel's hollow sound, 
The shrilling pipe, and ev'ry instrument 



17 

Of brazen mold, no more impierce the ear ; 

The madd'ning priests throw down their clashing swords, 

And the sooth'd lions bow their tamer heads. 0,60 

From her shrine leaps Cybele rejoicing, 

And to salute the goddess bends her tow'rs. 

Jove from his lofty throne these things beholds, 
And to the ear of Venus straight imparts 
His inmost thoughts. " O queen of love, to thee 26? 
" The secret counsels of my stedfast mind 
" I tell. Long since I have resolv'd to yield 
" The beauteous Proserpine to Pluto's arms, 
" A peerless bride — So Justice wills, and such 
" Is Fate's decree. Now therefore speed thy course 270 
" To the Sicanian shores ; the time is apt, 
" The mother distant far ; and when the dawn 
" Crimsons the morrow's sky, entice the maid 
" To sport amid the variegated fields ; 
" Allure her, arm'd with those resistless wiles 275 

u Which spread thine empire o'er the subject globe, 
Claud. B 



18 

" And oft the breast of Jove himself inflame — 

" No region's capes, no nook, nor shade conceals 

" The heart that's inaccessible to thee, 

" Why then is Tartarus alone secure ? 280 

" Let sad Erinnys with new ardors glow, 

" And Acheron, and gloomy Dis allay 

" Their fiercer mood with thy delicious cares." 

Swiftly the goddess speeds, and with her takes, 
At Jove's -behest, companions of her way, 285 

Minerva, and the crested Queen, whose bow 
Oft terrifies the wild Arcadian groves. 
Rich splendors track their course, as when on high, 
With sanguine flames, and prodigal of light, 
Some glowing comet, through the air serene, 290 

Portentous rides > — him the pale seaman views 
Aghast, and cities tremble ; for he bodes, 
With bright and threat'ning hair, impending fate, 
Shipwrecks, and storms, and desolating war. 



19 

They reach the spot where shone the bright abode 295 
Of Ceres, by Cyclopian hands uprear'd, 
With tow'ring walls of steel, and iron gates, 
Secur'd by pond'rous bars : the toiling slaves 
Of Vulcan never with more labor strove 
Than when that structure rose ; nor ever breathed 300 
More lurid sighs ; nor since that time have flow'd 
Such fiery torrents from the blazing forge. 
Ivory adorns each court, and ev'ry roof 
With sculptur'd brass consolidated shines, 
And sparkling ores in lofty columns rise. 305 

In these fair halls sits lovely Proserpine, 
And soothing with sweet song the tedious day, 
Plies the swift loom, expectant of the hour 
When Ceres should return. Her needle paints 
The birth and order of the elements ; 310 

And shows by what true laws Nature appeased 
Pristine confusion, when her parent hand 
Assign'd each unnVd principle a seat : 



20 

Up springs each subtle essence, while below 

Matter more pond'rous sinks ; transparent floats 315 

The ether; ocean swells ; earth's pictur'd orb 

Hangs in the firmament. Rich colors grace 

The various web ; stars glitter bright in gold ; 

Dark purple flows the sea; the rocky shores 

Sparkle in gems ; so well the threads deceive, 320 

That, whilst th' enchanted eye fancies the waves 

To swell and ripple on the moving floods, 

The ear, deluded, seems to catch the sound 

Of murm'ring waters, breaking on the sand, 

And sea-weed dashing on the marble rocks. S25 

Five zones she forms ; one the rich scarlet wuof 

Displays, as parch'd by fierce and burning suns, 

Barren and dry ; two others, temperate 

i\nd habitable, glow with softer hues ; 

Joyless and cold the last, with sullen tract, 330 

Cover each pole, wrapt in perpetual gloom. 

Nor were those regions undisplay'd, which lie 



21 



By melancholy Styx ; nor omen sad 

Was wanting : sudden tears obscured her eyes, 

And dimm'd the moisten'd colors of the web. 835 

And now, with undulating line, her hand 
Began to trace the limits of the deep, — 
When the rent filaments, and woof reversed, 
Declared the presence of th' etherial pow'rs : 
Straight she forsakes the half-unfinish'd work, 340 

While crimson blushes paint her beauteous cheeks, 
Beaming in modesty ; so ivory glows 
When Lydian artists tinge its pearly hues 
With rich Sidonian dies. Meanwhile the sun 
Dipp'd in the western wave, and dewy Eve 345 

Led on the train of night, whose gentle sway 
Sheds sweet repose upon the wearied world. 

And now prepared to seek the upper skies, 
Warn'd by the voice of Jove, Pluto arose ; 
And stern Alecto brings the dusky steeds 350 



22 



That pasture by Cocytus' fiery banks. 

In shades of Erebus, and drink the wave 

Of stagnant Lethe, breathing thence around 

Oblivious vapors ; Orphneus, glaring stern ; 

GEthon, more swift than dart ; Nycteus, pride 355 

Of all th' infernal race ; and, Pluto's care, 

Alastor wild ; yoked at the gates they stand, 

And fiercely breathe, and shake their dreadful manes, 

Expecting, in the morn, a glorious prize. 



END OF BOOK I 



THE 



RAPE OF PROSERPINE. 



BOOK II. 



3ntrotmtttotL 



TO FLORENTINE. 

VV HEN tuneful Orpheus, in silent grief, 

Had laid his harp aside, neglected long 

Each soul-inspiring air, the woodland nymphs 

Deplored their solace gone, and mournful streams 

Wept in sad unison. To savage beasts 5 



26 

Ferocious cruelty return'd, and oft, 

The trembling herds, threaten'd by rav'nous jaws, 

Implored assistance of the speechless lyre. 

Him silent, mountains mourn'd, and ev'ry grove, 

No more responsive to the sweet-toned shell. 10 

But when Alcides, from the Argive realms, 

To Thrace impelPd his steps, and overthrew 

The dreadful stalls besmear'd with human gore, 

And made the coursers of the barb'rous king 

Feed on green pastures ; for his country rous'd, 15 

Rejoicing in her good, the poet sought 

Once more his warbling lute, and having woiie 

To modulation sweet each idle chord, 

With flying fingers swept the magic strains. 

Then winds grew calm, and billows ceased to swell ; 20 

Swift Hebrus stopp'd his course, and to the strain 



27 

Waste Rhodope inclined her barren rocks, 

While Ossa bow'd, and shook her snows around : 

The lofty poplar from its mountain came ; 

The pine descended too, and, with her, led 0,5 

The master oak ; and timid Daphne, pleased 

With the sweet singer's voice, fear'd not to come, 

Though all the arts of am'rous Phoebus ne'er 

Allured her steps before. The fearful hare 

Securely sported with Molossian hounds, 30 

And yearling lambs pastured beside the wolf ; 

The gentle hind with spotted tigers play'd, 

And hungry lions with the bounding stag. 

He the long labors of Alcides sung, 
And all the monsters vanquish'd by his arm, 3 

Who, yet an infant, smiling in his ire, 



28 



Before his trembling mother sternly held 

The bleeding snakes his tender hands had crush'd. 

Thee not that dreadful bull, whose roaring shook 

The Cretan cities, nor the Stygian dog, 4D 

Appall'd ; nor the fierce lion, ere he rose 

Bright in the firmament, nor the rough boar 

The dread of Erymanth. With dauntless hand 

From Amazonian breasts thou didst unloose 

The warlike cincture ; and thy matchless bow 45 

Drove off those worse than harpy wings, that hung 

Destructive on the western shores. The rage 

Of mighty Geryon thou didst subdue, 

With all his num'rous limbs, and tripled form ; 

A single victor o'er a field of foes. 50 

In vain Anta?us fell, and Hydra grew 

Apace at ev'ry wound ; conquer'd, they died. 



Not the swift stag could 'scape thy swifter feet : 

Cacus in flames expired : Egypt's fell king 

Redden'd the Nile : Pholoe's azure wave 55 

The cloud-begotten Centaur's blood distaiu'd. 

Thee Libya's deep in wonder hath beheld : 

Thee Atlas dreads, since, from his shoulders moved 

He saw the world sit firmer upon thine ; 

Apollo's orb, and ev'ry star gave light 60 

Resting upon thy head ! So sung the bard 

Of Thrace ; and as the hero him, so me 

My Florentine inspires to sing ; to us 

A new Alcides. He these numbers moves, 

Waking the melody of all the Nine, 60 

And bids my silent lyre again be heard. 



THE 

RAPE OF PROSERPINE. 

1600& II. 



The day yet scarcely ris'n, with warning light 

Now touch'd th* Ionian deep, the gradual ray 

Glanced on the trembling waves ; and purpling beams, 

Irradiate, on the changeful waters play'd ; 

When all elate, and of her parent's will 5 

Forgetful, Proserpine, by Venus led, 

The dewy woods, and flow'ry pastures seeks : 

Thrice on their hinges creak 'd the pond'rous gates, 

Presaging ill ; thrice, conscious of her doom, 

Groan'd Etna, sighing from his dismal caves. 10 



32 



But she nor prodigy nor omen mark'd ; — 

Issuing abroad, by all her virgin train 

Attended. Venus, smiling in deceit, 

Walks first, and plans the maiden's future fall ; 

Pleased that dark Chaos shall confess her reigu, 1.5 

And Pluto, with his vanquish'd shadowy tribes, 

Swell her proud triumphs. Loose her waving hair 

Flows in redundant curls, with jewels graced ; 

And, gemm'd with diamonds, a rich golden clasp, 

The work of Vulcan, binds her purple robes. 20 

Her follow next the fair Arcadian queen, 
And she whose spear protects th' Athenian tow'rs j 
A virgin pair — one in the glorious chase, 
One fam'd in sanguine war. A shining helm 
Minerva wore, which, richly sculptured, show'd 25 

Fell Typhon blasted by the Thund'rer's bolt, 
As yet, half dead, in agony he breathed. 
A glitt'ring jav'lin in her hand she bears, 
But veils beneath the splendor of her robes, 



33 

Th' appalling terrors of the Gorgon shield. 30 

A sweeter aspect mark'd Diana's form, 
With all the beauty of Apollo graced ; 
The same her cheeks, her radiant eyes the same ; 
By sex alone distinguish'd from the god ; 
Bnre were her snowy arms, and wanton gales 35 

Play'd with the rich luxuriance of her hair. 
An unbent bow with slacken'd string she bore ; 
Behind, a quiver hung. Her Cretan vest 
Descended to the knee, cinctured with gold ; 
And Delos, broider'd on her floating robes, 40 

Appear'd to move amid the sparkling waves. 

Among the goddesses, with equal gait, 
The blooming daughter of fair Ceres walk'd, 
Equal to them in majesty of face, 

And form : graced with a shield she might appear 45 

Minerva's self, or, quiver'd, rove the woods, 
Like Dian. On her vest a jasper beam'd : 

Claud. Q 



34 



The skilful artisi never from his loom 

Produced a woof so rich as that she wore, 

Nor with more pleasing subject interwove 50 

The many-color'd web. It show'd the birth 

Of bright Hyperion's son, and Luna pale, 

Supreme o'er day and night; how Tethys' nurse 

Upon her bosom bore the breathing babes, 

Whose rosy color graced the azure breast. 55 

The infant Phoebus on the right appear 'd, 

Not with those burning and resistless beams 

Attired, that shine on his maturer brow ; 

But pictured in the earliest dawn of life, 

And from his baby lips were seen to burst 60 

Soft glowing flames, mingled with tender cries : 

Upon the left his beauteous sister lay, 

With mimic crescent ; and, with coral lip, 

Press'd the bland fluid from its crystal source. 

So splendid her attire. Around her throng'd 65 

Attendant nymphs from each Sicilian stream, 



35 



That swiftly flows, or gently glides along, 

Wat'ring the isle, from old Criuisus' flood, 

And wild Pantagia, hurl'd o'er sounding rocks, 

And Gelas' fount, whose name a city owns ; 70 

They haste from Camerina's reedy shore, 

From Arethuse, and swift Alpheus' wave : 

Cyan rose eminent o'er all the train. 

So in gay triumph oft, in Geta's fields, 
Or on TanaiV waste and frozen shore, 75 

A band of Amazons with mooned shields, 
Exulting, follow their courageous queen, 
After some battle won. Or, in like pomp, 
Rich Hermus sees the nymphs that celebrate 
The rites of Bacchus, on his flow'ry side, 80 

AdornM with golden sands ; meanwhile he pours, 
Rejoicing in his caves, more copious floods. 

Now Enna, parent of sweet flowers, beheld 
From her green mountain-top, the sacred train. 



36 



And calling Zephyr to her side, who play'd 85 

Low in the shady bosom of the vale, 

Thus spake — " O grateful sov'reign of the spring, 

" Who, breathing soft assiduous gales around, 

" Through all this lovely valley reign'st supreme, 

" Behold those beauteous nymphs, with yonder three, 90 

u To Jove allied, met in our blooming fields, 

" In sportive mood. O be thou near, and breathe 

" Thy gentlest influence : let ev'ry bough 

" Bud with fresh fragrance, so that Hybla's self 

" Might envy, and confess her gardens fair 95 

n By these sweet bow'rs excelPd : let balmier airs 

" Than rich Arabia's dewy groves exhale, 

" Visit my shades with odors, such as steal 

" O'er soft Hydaspes' wave, or, grateful, flow 

" From that collected pile which the famed bird, 100 

" Expectant of new life, rears in the east, 

" Amid embowVing woods : on all around 

" Diffuse new bloom, so that the gods may seek 

" This beauteous vale, and cull my various flow'rs." 



37 



She ended — and obedient Zephyr shook 105 

More heavnly fragrance from his dewy wings, 

And fertilized the earth ; where'er he flies 

The blushing Spring attends,, and on the mold 

Scatters fresh flow'rs, and scents the genial air ; 

He tinges ev'ry rose with softer hues, 1 1 

And the blue violet paints with od'rous bloom. 

What cinctured waist of oriental king 

Can boast such gems ? what choice Assyrian die 

So brightly can distain the virgin fleece, 

And emulate these purple flow'rs ? less gay 1 15 

The bird of Juno waves his splendid train, 

And Iris with inferior colors weaves 

Th' etherial woof, when the green fields and woods 

Shine through the painted air. Yet not alone 

Was Nature's pride display'd, in brilliant hues ; 120 

More beauteous still her fair proportions seem'd, 

The level lawns to gentle risings swell'd, 

And tow'ring hills by soft ascent were form'd ; 

The crystal fountains gush'd from marble rocks, 



38 



And through the dewy herbage winding rills 123 

Play'd with melodious murmurs ; lofty woods 

Temper'd with grateful shade the noon-tide heat 

To icy coolness, ev'ry various tree ; 

The fir for mariners, the corneil fit 

For archers, and the statelier plant of Jove; ISO 

The mournful cypress, and the scarlet oak 

Enrich'd by bees, and prescient laurels green. 

Here rov'd the box, along the crisped paths ; 

Low ivies crept around, and flaunting vines 

Bound their smooth tendrils to majestic elms. 135 

Along the shady margin of the grove 

A tranquil lake extends, whose clear profound 

Invites the penetrating eye to trace 

The secret wonders of its lucid caves. 

Now in the flow'ring fields the virgin train 140 

Gaily disport. Venus persuades to cull 
The scented blooms. u Come," she exclaims, * while 
now 



39 



u The morning sky glows with light's earliest ray, 

<l And yonder star, shedding sweet influence, 

u Heralds th' approach of day's more fiery orb, 145 

" Come, sister-nymphs !" She spoke, and reach'd her hand, 

And pluck'd her fav'rite grief-inwoven flow'r. 

Meanwhile, dispersed around, the roving maids 

Throng in each various path, as when a swarm 

Of bees, led from their waxen citadel, 150 

Built in some hollow oak, following their queen 

O'er beds of thyme, cluster with pleasing hum, 

And visit ev'ry flow'r in search of sweets. 

They spoil the treasures of the field ; some chuse 
Pale lilies to entwine with violet buds ; 155 

Some seek the rich Amaracus ; some walk 
With roses crown'd ; some deck'd with woodbine wreaths ; 
They spare not thee, sad Hyacinth, nor thee, 
Pallid Narcissus, pride of all the plain ; 
Once graceful youths : the fatal disk to one 160 

Brought timeless fate, and him Apollo mourns 



40 



With clouded beauty : Love the other doom'd 

To end his being by a fountain side, 

Pining for shadowy bliss, and him e'en now 

Cephisus sad deplores with broken reed. 165 

More ardent to collect the fragrant spoils, 
The blooming maid, brown Ceres' only care, 
Exceeds her train ; now weaving pliant twigs, 
She heaps her rural wealth in smiling stores, 
Now joins in nuptial union many a bud, 170 

And thoughtless crowns her temples with the wreath, 
Too sure prognostic of her future fate ! 
She, too, who revels in the field, when arms 
Resound, and trumpets bray, she, whose strong hand, 
Invincible, resists embattled hosts, 175 

And makes high walls and cities tremble, — now 
In softer toil engages, drops the spear, 
And with unusual garlands decks her helm : 
Her iron crest shows gay with wanton pride, 
Her martial terrors fly, and war no more ISO 



41 

Sits on her rose-bound front. Neither did she, 
Whose tuneful hounds Parthenian gales explore, 
Disdain the sportive band : her tresses loose 
A woven coronet of flow'rs confined. 

While thus in virgin pastime speed the hours, 185 

Lo ! suddenly a tumult wild and loud 
Arises ; turrets bow their trembling heads,, 
And tow'rs and lofty spires are levell'd low ; 
No cause appears ; the Paphian queen alone 
Acknowledges the sign, and trembling feels 190 

A doubtful pleasure, mix'd with secret fear. 
And now the dark-brow'd ruler of the dead, 
Through shades, and winding caverns of the earth, 
Urges his fiery steeds — their cruel hoofs 
Trample on huge Enceladus, enchain'd 1Q£ 

And groaning ; and the chariot wheels drive o'er 
His monstrous limbs. The tortured giant writhes 
His wounded bulk in vain; bearing at once 
The island, and the god ; in vain he strives 
To change his posture, and with feeble force 200 



Escape those burning wheels : the smoking car 

Rides on his back. But as from some dark mine. 

In secret dug beneath embattled walls, 

The hidden enemy with conquering bands, 

Like those which sprang of old from dragon's teeth, 205 

Leaps out upon the pale astonished foe ; 

So the third son of Saturn, through the gloom 

Of earth's deep caverns, urging on his steeds, 

Attempts a passage to the realms of day : 

No gate appears, on ev'ry side huge rocks 210 

Oppose his path, with adamantine bars. 

Not long he brooks delay : indignant soon, 

He rears his sceptre, and the barrier strikes : 

Sicilia heard, and shook in all her caves ; 

Her rivers trembled, and stern Vulcan fled, 215 

Affrighted, from his forge, while, smit with fear, 

The Cyclops dropp'd th' unfinish'd bolt of Jove. 

He heard who dwelt upon the frozen Alps, 

And he who on the Tyber sail'd ; not yet 

With Roman trophies graced ; and he who steer'd 220 



43 

His swift-oar'd bark along the silver Po. 



*© 



So when in Thessaly, shut in by rocks, 
The stagnant waters of Peneiis swell'd 
To one vast lake, and drown'd the fertile vales, 
Neptune with three-fork'd trident smote the hills ; 225 
Sore wounded with the stroke, Ossa leap'd down, 
And parted from Olympus ; straight released, 
Through the cleft mountains rush'd the roaring stream, 
And sought the seas : and land again appear'd. 

And now to hell's unconquerable might 230 

Trinacria yields, and opes a hideous gulf : 
A strange and sudden horror dims the skies, 
And turns the courses of the stars — in waves 
Forbidden, Arctos dives, and, slow before, 
Bootes like some streaming meteor shoots ; 235 

Orion shudders at the neighing steeds, 
And Atlas pales his fire : their poison'd breath 
Obscures each glowing axle ; while the orb 



44 



Of Phoebus frights the coursers of the shades, 
Accustom'd to the gloom of night ; and back, 240 

Astonish'd at the day, they start, and seek 
Once more to plunge into the depths of hell. 

But on their stricken sides the frequent lash 
Resounds, and teaches them to bear the light. 
Onward they rush, wilder than wintry floods, 245 

Fierce as the jav'lin in its flight ; more swift 
Than Parthian arrows, winds, or anxious thoughts. 
Dark blood embrues the bit, pestiferous steams 
Poison the air, and a malignant foam 
Drops on th' infected earth. Fast fly the nymphs : 250 
Fair Proserpine is hurried to the car, 
Imploring aid. Minerva straight prepares 
Her Gorgon shield, and Dian for the strife 
Prepares her bended bow ; scorning to yield 
Though to the brother of their sire : to arms 25 b 

The cause of injured maidenhood excites ; 
Calls for redress, and doubles the foul crime 



45 

Of Pluto. He, like some fierce lion, stands, 

When, seizing on the fairest of the herd, 

He rends his victim, terrible in ire, 269 

.And shakes, with gore deform'd, his dreadful mane, 

Disdaining the poor shepherd's idle rage. 

" Base ruler of ignoble realms, O worst 
" Of all thy race," Minerva cries, " O say, 
" Detestable, what frantic fury goads %65 

" Thy horrid purpose, arm'd with whips and stings ! 
u Why hast thou dared to violate the day, 
u With thy infernal chariot, from the lakes 
" Of hell ! monsters compose thy dreadful reign, 
" Dire shapes, and shadows, and Lethean gloom ! — 270 
n The baleful Furies are thy fittest mates ! 
ic Heuce, then, from these bright realms of upper day, 
" Thy brother's right ! hence to thy joyless shades ! 
" Why dost thou mingle dead with living forms ! 
" Why tread, a stranger, on our world !" — She spoke, 275 
And, to restrain the furious steeds, opposed 



46 

Her shield, whose Gorgon-snakes uprear'd their crests> 

Loud hissing ; and her jav'lin now was poised 

Ready to strike, and glisten'd on the car. 

Then war, and wild confusion had ensued, 280 

But Jove sent forth into the azure skies 

Th' imperial bird, signal of peace, and own'd 

His future son ; among the rolling clouds 

Loud Hymens thunder'd, and approving flames 

Witness'd the nuptial bond. The goddesses 285 

No more opposed his will : with slacken'd bow 

Latona sigh'd, and thus address'd the maid : 

" O much beloved ! receive our sad farewell ! 

u Obedience to a sire forbids our aid ; 

" The arm of fate controuls us. Jove himself 290 

" Hath destined thee, a blooming sacrifice, 

" To silent ghosts : amongst them thou wilt find, 

u Alas ! no pleasing maidens, no meet choir 

" To share thy sports. Why from admiring gods 

tl Hath fortune snatch'd thee, and condemn'd the world 

" To bear a load of unavailing grief !— €96 



47 

" No more shall I delight to spread the nets 

" By wood or cave, or the swift shaft to speed 

u Wing'd with destruction ; the wild boar shall rage, 

" And unrestrain'd the savage lion roar. 300 

" Thee ev'ry grove, and ev'ry hill shall mourn, 

a Unheard the hunter's voice at morn or eve : 

c * Apollo, too, shall long deplore thy loss, 

" And yield no answers from the Delphic shrine." 

Meanwhile the rushing chariot flies apace, 305 

On fiery wheels. Sad Proserpine, with hair 
Loose to the breeze, her woe-fraught bosom beats, 
And thus implores the skies with passion'd tears. 

<e Ah why did not thy hand, O cruel sire, 

" Hurl down some bolt destructive ; ere my youth 310 

J Should thus descend to unrelenting gloom, 

a Dead to the world ? Say, from thy sterner mind 

" Is virtue banish'd, and paternal love ? — 
< 
c What crime awoke this wrath ? — Alas, I ne'er 



48 

" Leagued with thine enemies, when Phlegra raged, 315 

" Terrible in discord ; nor did my hand 

" Advance its aid, when huge Olympus groan'd 

" 'Neath Ossa's pond'rous snows ! What dire offence, 

" Committed, or premeditate, hath doom'd 

" Thy daughter to the joyless shades of death ? — 320 

" Ah, fortunate are they whom milder loves 

" Possess ! they feel, at least, the cheerful beams 

" Of day, the sun's warm splendor ! but to me 

" It is denied to view that glorious orb, 

" Or to preserve my vestal purity : 325 

" That with the light of heav'n is gone ! — Alas ! 

" The world fades like some vision, and I go, 

" A hopeless captive, in a tyrant's chains. — 

" O evil fate ! O sadly chosen flow'rs ! 

" Maternal counsel wantonly despised ! 33Q 

" O artful Venus ! — Thee, dear mother, now 

" In Ida's vale the horrid Phrygian rites, 

<{ With pipe and dreadful song, detain ; or else 

" On Dindyma thou hear'st the frantic yells 



49 

" And clashing weapons of the blood-stahVd priests i— 
" O leave thine altars — hasten to my aid, 336 

u And stop this cruel robber's hated speed !" 

Moved by her tender and imploring grief, 

The sullen God breathed the soft sighs of love, 

The first he ever knew ; and down his cheeks 540 

Flow'd strange relenting tears, while thus he soothed, 

In gentle accents, the sad captive's woe : 

" Dispel, O Proserpine, the grief that rends 

<( Thy anxious breast, and chase thy needless fears : 

" Extended empire shall be thine ; for fate 34£ 

" Hath made thee bride to no inferior pow'r. 

" 1 am that son of Saturn whom the realms 

" Of Chaos own, and all the lower worlds 

" Obey. Think not to thee the light of day 

fe For ever lost : we own a glorious sun ; 350 

" And other stars adorn our firmament, 

" With purest splendor. How wilt thou admire 

I 

" The beaming radiance of Elysian skies ; 

Claud. J) 



50 

" The fragrant groves ; their bright inhabitants ! 

" With us that happy state, that golden age, 3oc> 

" Perpetual is found ; which men enjoy'd 

u But once. Thy presence fairer meads await, 

" Than these of earth, where fadeless flow'rs arise, 

" Such as thy Enna never knew, and scent 

" The softer gales : there also blooms a tree 360 

" Whose loaded branches hang with shining gold. — 

" All these are thine ; and each rich Autumn still 

<( Shall swell thy glitt'ring stores. — Why should I name 

" Such lowly off' rings ! all that floats in air, 

" Or swims the sea, or stately walks the earth, $6» 

" Whatever animates the changeful globe, 

" Shall crown thy full possession ; all that lives 

" Within the bounds that Nature has prescribed 

f * To mortal being ! Monarchs shall appear 

u Before thee, spoil'd of regal ornament, 370 

" And undistinguish'd from the vulgar crowd : 

" Death renders all men equal. Thou shalt judge 

<{ The guilty ; and thy hand shall give the meed 



51 



st To virtue ; for afr thy tribunal none 

" Shall dare conceal the actions of their life. 375 

" The Fates shall be thy handmaids ; and the pow'rs 

" That rule o'er Lethe's waters shall become 

" Subservient to thee. Thy will alone 

" Shall sway the force of Destiny, till now 

" Immutable." He spoke, and his dark steeds 380 

Encouraged : proudly they obey, and soon 

With slacken'd pace at Taenarus arrive. 

And now the pallid ghosts in those waste realms 
Assemble ; numerous as fallen leaves, 
Or sands, or waves, moved by autumnal gales. 385 

The dead of ev'ry age haste on to view 
The matchless bride. Soft'ning to placid smiles 
His rigid brow, unlike his former self, 
Pluto appears. To greet his coming lord, 
Huge Phlegethon arises, curling flames 390 

Hang on his beard, and play around his face. 
The duteous multitude bestow their aid, 



52 



Some hasten to the car, and loose the reins, 

And to the well-known pasture turn the steeds ; 

Some pictur'd tap'stry spread, and interweave 395 

The bridal bow'r, and range the nuptial robes. 

Elysian matrons tend their beauteous queen, 
Soothing with gentle speech her anxious breast ; 
They bind her scatter'd locks, and, chased by fear, 
Restore the roses to her marble cheeks* 400 

The realms of death rejoice, and buried forms 
Are moved to gladness ; pallid spectres taste 
The genial banquet, and the sullen shades 
Quaff the inspiring bowl with garlands crown'd. 
Unwonted melody steals through the gloom ; 405 

And songs are heard where dreadful silence dwelt. 
Hush'd is each lamentable sound of woe ; 
Stern Erebus relents his fiercer mood, 
And glimm'ring twilight cheers eternal Night. 
No longer Minos from th' uncertain urn 410 

Deals various fate ; no longer punishments # 



53 

Are known, nor shrieks, nor doleful cries ; the wheel 

Torments no more Ixion's gory shape, 

Nor flies the cool wave from the burning lip 

Of Tantalus : released Ixion rests, 415 

And Tantalus the grateful liquor drinks. 

And freed at length from the ensanguined plain, 

Tityus huge his weary bulk uprears, 

Which cover'd late niue acres of the ground ; 

While the fierce vulture quits his mangled breast 420 

Grieving that now the victim's life no more 

Shall glut his famish'd beak. The Furies dance, 

Forgetful of the scourge the guilty need, 

Draining the goblet ; and their snaky brood, 

Moisten'd with wine, play o'er the flowing cups, 4 C 25 

With mitigated rage. iEtherial fire 

Supplies the nuptial torch. Now o'er the stream 

Of slow Avernus birds rejoicing rise, 

And sacred pow'rs appease each stormy blast ; 

Whirlpools grow calm : the floods of Acheron 430 

Are changed to milky tides, and with the juice 



54 

Of gay Lyaeus flows Cocytus' stream. 

The Fates then broke no thread of life ; no voice 

Of woe resounded ; no sad parents wept 

Upon their children's bier : Death walk'd no more 435 

Abroad. The seaman perish'd not by wreck, 

Nor warriors by the sword ; cities were free 

From fun'ral rites ; and Hell's grim ferryman 

With woven reeds adorn'd his rugged locks, 

And, leaning on his idle oar, beguiled 440 

His leisure with a song. Now Hesperus 

Descended to th' infernal shades, and led 

The virgin to the bridal bow'r. Night stood 

Attendant, in bright constellations robed, 

And glitt'ring stars ; while happiest omens shed 445 

Their kindly influence ; applauses rung 

Around ; and wakeful melodies, in notes 

Of soft congratulation, breathed these sounds : — 

" Fair queen of these wide realms, and thou, dread 
pow'r, 



55 



'* Allied to Jove, O taste what purest bliss 450 

/ Attends the sweet repose of nuptial hours ! 

" Confide in mutual love ! a blooming race 

" Nature expects : an offspring shall be born 

" To grace our world with fresh divinity, 

u And recompense sad Ceres for her loss." 455 



END OF BOOK II. 



THE 



RAPE OF PROSERPINE, 



BOOK III. 



THE 



RAPE OF PROSERPINE. 



TBOO&III 



Meanwhile in heav'n the Thunderer's command 

Bade Iris, vested in etherial hues, 

Assemble from the thickly-peopled globe 

Each deity of earth and sea. She tracks 

The painted air, more swift than viewless winds, 5 

And calls the sea-gods from their dripping caves, 

And summons ev'ry nymph from fountain cool, 

Clear lake, and flowing brook. Around they throng, 

Amazed ; solicitous to learn what cause 

Disturbs their quiet, what high purport moves 10 



60 



Such sudden visitation : soon they gain, 

Obedient to the will of Jove, the roofs 

That blaze with starry fires. Order arranged 

The courts :« celestial beings sat enthroned, 

Supreme amid the bright revolving spheres ; 15 

Next in succession rank'd the gods who sway 

The fluctuating deep, Nereus calm, 

And Phorcus white with age ; the lowest place 

Glaucus obtain'd, and Proteus, changeful now 

No more; nor to the elder of those pow'rs, 20 

Who roll majestic rivers, were denied 

Seats in the bright abodes : but, circling far, 

The youthful genii of inferior streams, 

Innumerable, stood ; the Naiads lean'd 

Upon their kindred urns, and gazing Fauns 25 

In silence wonder'd at the glorious scene. 

Then, rising from his awful throne, thus spake 
The sire of gods and men : ie . Mortal affairs 
l< Engage once more our thoughts, somewhat of late 



61 



a By us neglected, since the slothful age 30 

" Of Saturn chain'd the world in dull repose ; 

" Yet 'twas our wisdom that decreed mankind 

" Should feel uY invigorating cares of life, 

" To rouse them, slumb'ring. Therefore we forbade 

" The golden fields to bear spontaneous grain ; 85 

(i Nor stored, for careless indolence, the woods 

" With nectar'd honey ; fountains yielded not 

" The grape's delicious juice, nor madd'ning draughts 

" Were idly quafFd from ev'ry mountain-stream. 

" Nor envy moved this harshness ; for the gods 40 

" Abhor that evil sentiment : but why 

" Should Virtue be enslaved with luxury; 

" Or gifts, pernicious in their fulness, damp 

" The mind's clear energy ! the slothful soul, 

" Urged by Necessity, awakes and tries 45 

u Each various path, each hidden art explores ; 

({ And Industry improves, what Genius plans ! 

u But Nature now is urgent in complaint, 



62 

" And, anxious for the mortal race, declares 

u Our reign strict tyranny ; and praising still 50 

" The ages overflown, deems us severe, 

" Rich in our own abundance, to deny 

u Sufficient comfort to our needy sons : — 

" ' Why, with unfertilizing hand/ — " she cries," 

u * Fill you these meads with briars, and consume 5 h 

" ' My plains with thirst ? ah ! why no longer crown 

" ' Th' autumnal year with fruits ! Lo ! I, who late 

" ' Was bounteous as a mother to- the world, 

u ' Now like some cold and thrifty step-dame seem 

" ' Severely prudent ! — Wherefore bid ye soar 60 

" ' Man's thoughtful spirit ! wherefore lift his head 

" ' Erect in majesty ; if pathless wilds 

i( ' He roams in search of food, like wand'ring herds, 

" ' And shares with them their acorns ! Such a life, 

" ' Participate with brutes who howl in dens, 65 

fi e And sylvan caves, affords no joy to mau !' — 

" While thus I listen'd tc the fond complaint 

te Of Nature's voice, my clemency awoke, 



63 



** And urged me to relieve her abject state. 

u Therefore have I decreed that Ceres, who, 70 

" With her stern mother, now on Ida stays, 

" Unconscious of her woes, through all the world, 

" Anxious, and wild with grief, shall roam, until 

" Her lost delight she find : Plenty meanwhile, 

" Attendant on her car, shall scatter round 75 

" The golden ear, unknown on earth before ; 

" And the swift, fiery-footed dragons give 

" Blooming fertility to ev'ry plain. 

" But if among the gods one traitor- voice 

" Shall dare betray to Ceres x Pluto's name : 80 

" By the eternal concord of the spheres 

" I swear, e'en though the partner of our throne 

" Should prove th' offending- pow'r — although my mind 

" Had been a womb to the betrayer— still 

" My dread immortal fury he should feel, 8 j 

" Stricken with thunder, and, sore wounded, grieve 

" That his etherial essence could not die : 

es Then, cast a groaning victim to the shades, 



64 



" A heavier punishment awaits his crime, 

" From hell's avenging pow'r. Such is the will 90 

" Of Fate, and we approve her firm decree." 

He spoke, and shook his star-encircled brows, 
And fill'd the heav'nly concave with dismay. 

But omens now of evil tendency, 
To thoughtful Ceres in her distant caves, Q5 

Wild and uncertain signs, appear'd ; each night 
Her tearful eyes seem'd to bewail in dreams 
Her daughter dead. Oft, in the mystic rites, 
The steel she brandishes assaults her breast ; 
And oft, in speechless horror, she perceives 300 

Her sacred vestments change to funeral robes ; 
While barren trees within the temple bloom. 

A sacred laurel, too, the fav'rite plant 
Of all the grove, whose chaste and verdant leaf 
The maidens loved, to shade their nuptial bow'rs ; 105 



65 



Upton), and sever'd from its root she finds : 
And the sad Fauns th' inquiring goddess tell, 
That some dire Fury, from Tartarean shades, 
Had spoil'd the beauty of her lovely tree. 

At length, no more mysteriously veil'd, 1 10 

In doubtful slumbers, the acknowledged shape 
Of Proserpine appals the mother's sleep ; 
For in a cave forlorn she saw her sit, 
In bonds and hideous darkness ; not tiat maid 
Whom late, embosom'd in the isle, she left ; 115 

Nor with that beauty graced, which rivall'd well, 
In Enna's flow'ry and enchanting vale, 
Th* admiring goddesses : loaded with gold 
Shone her encircled hair, and gloomy night 
Added strange lustre to her sterner eyes ; ] 20 

Dead was the rose upon her cheek, illumed 
With other fires, and all her air betray *d 
Infectious gloom. Affrighted Ceres scarce 
Dared trust the mournful vision, yet at length, 

Claud. E 



66 



By dread anxiety compell'd, these words, 125 

Mingled with frequent sighs, escaped her lips : 

" What crime awakes this punishment ! O whence 

" This spectre horrible ? from whom proceeds 

" The hateful work of cruelty ! O say, 

" Terrific form, art thou indeed my child? 130 

" Or does some idle phantom of the night, 

" Thus, with unreal terrors, shake my soul r" 

u O parent!" mournfully the shade replied, 
" Hast thou become oblivious of my fate, 
" Neglectful of my wrongs ? quenching that love 135 

" With most unnatural hate, which Nature gives 
" E'en to the lion's dam ! Ah me ! so. soon, 
" Thy only offspring, to be thus despised ! 
<: Sweet to thine ear was once my fav'rite Jianie : 
" Now see thy Proserpine in this deep gulf 140 

<( Enchain'd, and with unceasing grief oppress'd ! 
" Thy heedless hours, meanwhile, rude choirs engage, 
" Mad revelry ; e'en now the cities rinjr 



67 



u Responsive to thy songs. But if thy soul 

" Reject not utterly a mother's care ; 1 45 

" If, Ceres, I derive from thee my life, 

" And was not nursed by tigers, — O relieve 

" My wearied nature from this dreadful gloom, 

<l And bring me back to light ; or, if the Fates 

u Forbid return, visit, at least, thy child 15 

u In these lone caves ! " Tears ended her address ; 

Her trembling hands she now essay 'd to raise, 

In lowly supplication ; but her bonds 

Made vain the effort ; and the rattling chains 

Waked Ceres from her sleep, with horror chill'd : — 155 

'Twas but th' unreal action of a dream, 

And some relief she feels ; yet still she longs 

For Proserpine's embrace : with anxious thoughts 

Wildly she hasten'd from her troubled couch, 

And thus majestic Cybele address'd : 1GO 

" No longer, goddess, in these groves I stay ; 
u Me other cares demand. My treasured hope, 



68 



" Though placed in guarded halls, rear'd by the toil 

Of Vulcan's slaves, I dread to lose ; trembling 

" Lest insecurity defeat my cares, 165 

" Or fame betray. Trinacria, methinks, 

" Affords not sure concealment ; for report, 

" Praising her wild and grand sublimity, 

u Leads to her shores th' advent'rous traveller ; 

" And sad Enceladus, with sighs and groans, 170 

u Renders the lovely isle no fit abode 

" For secrecy or silence : other bowers, 

" In some less known, some solitary clime, 

" Must be explored. Dire visions have disturb 'd 

" My slumbers ; omens, and ill-boding signs : 175 

" Each day my fear encreases : these bright locks 

" Fall from my head profuse, and drops of blood, 

u Portentous, stain my bosom ; gushing tears 

" Wash, with unbidden grief, my pallid cheeks, 

" And, moved by some strange sympathy, my hands 180 

(i Beat my unconscious breast ; if I attempt 

" The breathing of the pipe, its melody 



69 

« Seems like some fun'ral dirge, and when I strike 

" The timbrel, harsh and mournful are the sounds. 

" Ah me ! I tremble lest these signs imply 185 

" Some horrible calamity ! Alas, 

" What ills delay may breed !" — <e Give to the winds 

" These idle terrors," Cybele rejoin'd, 

<( Nor so unwatchful deem the sire of heav'n, 

" As to neglect his daughter : lightning keen 1Q0 

" Would blast the hand of violence. Yet go ; 

u And hither, with unclouded front, feturto." 

This heard, Ceres in haste ascends her car, 
And urges on, with undeserved lash, 
The swiftness of the steeds ; her eager eyes 195 

Expect the distant shores of Sicily, 
Ere Ida's woods have faded from their view : 
Grief loads her swelling heart, augments her fears, 
Extinguishes all hope. So homeward late 
Th' empassion'd bird from search of food returns, 200 
Anxious, and pond'ring o'er the various ills 



70 

That may betide her tender brood ; she dreads 

Lest storms have torn her humble nest ; or man,, 

With furtive cruelty ; or gilded snake. 

Now the neglected dwelling meets her eye ; 205 

Fled are its guardians, and the careless gates 

Wide open ; melancholy stillness reigns 

Around — silent destruction ! At this sight, 

In wild amazement, Ceres rends her robes, 

And casts Jier golden chaplet on the ground ; 210 

Tears rush into her eyes ; no speech her tongue, 

No life her cheek, betrays ; with falt'ring steps > 

And trembling, through the halls and lonely courts 

She hastes, and soon perceives the gorgeous woof, 

With threads neglected and confused, and marks 215 

The intercepted labor of the loom : 

The costly work seem'd perishing, and o'er 

Th' unfinish'd vacancy, the spiders art 

Had drawn unhallow'd lines. Deep is her woe, 

And silent ; on the senseless web she prints 220 

Fond kisses, and her mute affliction pours 



71 



Upon the moisten'd colors ; to her breast 

She folds each dear memorial of her child ; 

Each scatter'd implement of pleasing toil ; 

And mournfully surveys the spot where late 225 

She sate beside her loom, — her couch forlorn, — 

Her desolated bed. So grieves the swain, 

Whose lowing treasure lions have destroyed, 

Or banded robbers hurried to their caves ; 

Too late returning to his ravaged fields, (230 

Amazed he roves the empty pasture through, 

And calls upon his lost and silent herd. 

ConceaPd within a deep recess she finds, 
Eiectra laid, sad remnant of the house ; 
Her daughter's aged nurse, the most renown'd 235 

Of Ocean's train ; she ever had supplied 
Its tender nutriment, and fondly led 
The sportive infant to the knees of Jove ; 
And still in her the virgin had possess'd 
A guardian and companion : prostrate now, 240 



72 

With hair dishevell'd, in the dust, she mourns 

The lost etherial maid. Ceres at length 

Yields utt'rance to her grief, by heaviest sighs, 

And tears accompanied : w what mischief now," 

Wildly she asks, " appals my troubled sight ? 245 

" Is Jove supreme in heav'n, or do the sons 

" Of Titan reign ? What hand presumptuous dared, 

" While thunders dwelt above, madly attempt 

" This violence ? Is fell Typhoeus loose ? 

" Has rash Vesuvius the giant freed, 250 

" That groan'd beneath his pressure ? or, more near, 

" From Etna's jaws hath huge Enceladus 

" Escaped ? perhaps dark Biiareus stole, 

<c W r ith sudden fury, on our household gods ! — 

" O where, alas ! where is my daughter now ? 255 

" Where all her thousand nymphs attendant ? where 

" Is Cyan ? say, what demon has dispersed 

" The guardian-maids ? Is this, alas, your care ? 

u Is this your long fidelity approved ? " 

Trembles the aged muse ; a transient shame 260 



73 

Glows on her faded cheek ; she longs for death 

To close her eyes, unable to endure 

The grief depicted in the mother's face ; 

Immoveable and silent, she delays 

Her doleful tale, till, farther urged, at last 265 

These mournful accents falter on her tongue : 

u Ah ! would the impious giant-race alone 

u Had caused this ruin ! but immortal pow'rs 

" Contrived our unsuspected fall. Thou seest, 

" What least thou wouldst desire, thy kindred's fraud ; 

" Their envious hate. Heav'n has become our foe. — 271 

u A calm tranquillity was ours, nor sought 

" The maid to rove beyond these peaceful walls, 

" Nor sigh'd for flow'ry vales, or open skies, 

" Obedient to thy will. The loom supplied 27«5 

" Her toils, and Sirens sung her to repose; 

u With me each grateful hour, in converse sweet, 

" Unheeded past ; beside her couch I watch'd, 

" When Sleep diffused his poppies, and each sport 

" W T ithin these bounds, my vigilance made safe. 230 



74 

(i But suddenly behold the queen of love, 

c< All unsuspected of fallacious art, 

" With friendly aspect to our dwelling came, 

(i And to ensure our greater confidence, 

u Versed in deceit, she Dian with her led, 285 

u And wise Minerva ; with alluring smiles 

" She sought to win the artless Proserpine ; 

u Embraced her, and the name of sister breathed 

" With soft affection, mingling fond complaint 

11 That cruel Ceres in these lonely shades 290 

" Such beauty could immure, far from her bow'rs 

" Paternal, the resplendent courts of Jove, 

** And all the blest society of heav'n. 

u The virgin they delight with choicest fruits, 

" Selected from Pomona's lap, and crown 295 

" The board with nectar. She with Dian's robes 

" Now sportively attires her form, and grasps 

u The bow, with tender fingers ; now admires 

u The crested helm, and as Minerva smiles, 

" She fills it with her rich luxuriant hair, 300 



75 

" And strives to raise the pond'rous mooned shield. 

" Venus meanwhile, with fraudulent intent, 

4C Malicious, speaks of Enna's lovely vale 

•' And blooming bow'rs, and asks, as ignorant, 

<( What gifts peculiar that spot adorn ; 305 

" Nor does she seem to credit that the gales 

"Of winter breathe innocuous on the rose, 

" Mild as the airs of Spring ; or that the buds 

" Of summer florish through the live-long year, 

44 Un visited by angry storms : awhile 310 

<c Enwrapp'd in pleasing wonder she appears ; 

" Then, with feign'd eagerness, requests the maid 

" To lead her to those beauteous scenes. O youth ! 

" Alas, too easily beguiled ! What pray'rs, 

" What unavailing sorrows did I breathe ! 315 

" Yet she departed — to dissembled love, 

" And cruel sisters trusting. On her steps 

" Each nymph attended. To the meads they haste, 

" Which ever with unfading verdure smile, 

" And pluck the flow'rs beneath the dawning light, 3 C 20 



76 

u When the fresh earth is gemm'd with dew-drops clear 

* And violets drink the coolness of the morn. 

u But when more high the radiant sun had roll'd 

u His glowing axle, suddenly dark night 324 

<e Shadow'd the isle ; loud trampling hoofs were heard, 

* And rushing wheels, that shook the trembling ground : 
u Unknown to us the dreadful charioteer ; 

u Some slaughtering power, or Death himself, stern king. 

C( A withering paleness smote the fertile glebe, 

" The brooks were dried, the fruitful fields despoil'd ; 330 

u Nothing survived the blast : I saw decay 

" Steal on the fragrant beauty of the rose ; 

" The lily languished, and each flow'ret droop'd. 

" Soon with terrific sound the wheels retired, 

* Attendant Night withdrew, and usual beams 535 
" Revisited the cheerful face of day : 

" But Proserpine return'd not to our arms. 

" Their end obtain'd, the Goddesses forsook 

tc The wasted valley. On the earth we found 

u Sad Cyan lifeless, pale her drooping head, 340 



77 

" And black the perish'd garland on her brow. 

" Quick we approach, and of her mistress' fate 

" Enquire, for Cyan nearest stood, and ask 

a What steeds were those, and who their dreadful Lord ? 

" She answer'd not, but, yielding to her fate, 345 

" And touch'd with secret poison, pined away, 

<e Changed to a fountain pure ; her tresses bright 

" Dissolved in silent streams, and gelid drops 

" Fell from each wasting limb ; till at our feet 

<e No more a nymph, she flow'd a crystal flood. 350 

" The train disperse ; and borne on rapid wings 

ee The Sirens seek the bay where lifted high 

** Pelorus looks upon the waves ; they strike 

u Their alter'd lyres, incensed, to fatal airs, 

" And measures fraught with sad calamity ; 3$Ji 

ce Each wand'ring bark their songs detain, and oars 

cc Grow motionless to listen : I alone, 

<c O'ercome with age and grief, am left at home." 

Doubt and amazement fearfully distract 



78 

The soul of Ceres; madly she consumes 360 

With rage, as if the robber were at hand, 

And unperform'd the deed : her phrenzied eyes 

Seem to assail th' inhabitants of heav'n. 

So the Hyrcanian tigress breathes her ire, 
On high Niphates, when her helpless brood 565 

The pale and trembling hunter steals away, 
To grace the pageantry of Eastern kings : 
Madly she rushes forth with volant speed, 
And all her anger in her greener spots 
Displays ; but just as her devouring jaws 570 

Threaten the ravisher with horrid fate, 
She views her image in the crystal orb, 
His art prepares, and ceases the pursuit. 
Not otherwise, through all Olympus' shades, 
The irritated mother rages loud, 375 

Demanding retribution : " think not me 
" Sprung from an earthly deity ; w she cries, 
" To Saturn, and majestic Cybele, 



19 

" I owe my birth. Where are your slumb 'ring laws, 

" O ye immortal rulers of the globe I 380 

" What now shall piety avail ! behold, 

** Venus, so famed for chastity, intrudes 

" Unblushingly upon the wond'ring day, 

" After her Lemnian chains. Could that chaste bed, 

" That innocent repose devise my wrongs J 385 

<c Those pure embraces ! — let dishonor now 

<c In her no more be strange, or wonder'd at. 

" But why did ye, who shun the nuptial bow'r, 

u Forsake a helpless virgin ? why, alas ! 

" Neglected ye those attributes ye love ? 390 

" Do ye now aid the cause of violence, 

" And join with Cytherea ? ye should both 

" Be worshipp'd in the Scythian's barb'rous fane, 

u Whose horrid altars thirst for human blood ! 

a What moved your fury ? could my Proserpine 2Q5 

" Slight you with sparing sacrifice ? O say, 

" Diana, did she chase thee from thy grove ; 

(i Or thee, Minerva, from the tented field ? 



80 

" Or were her prayers too frequent ? did she vex 

" Your wearied temples with abundant vows ? — - 400 

u No ! in Trinacria's lonely isle she dwelt, 

" And could not tire your sovereign deities. 

" Alas ! what good from all my care hath sprung ? 

" Not humble quiet, nor retired abodes 

u Are safe from envy and malicious hate." 405 

Thus she addresses all the Gods, but they, 

In reverence of Jove, or silence keep, 

Or knowledge of the deed disclaim ; with tears 

Answ'ring the mother's grief : what now remains ? 

Once more, submissive, she renews her plaint, 410 

In lowly supplication : " O forgive 

ic If virtue into seeming passion fall : 

" Anger ill suits the pleading voice ! O hear 

" My sad request ! O grant this only prayer : 

■ Expose me not to doubtful miseries ! 415 

" Let me but know what shapes of grief are mine. 

" Whate'er ye may appoint, that can I bear, 

" If conscious, and the dispensation call 



81 

" Fortune's appointment, not your cruelty. 

M O grant me but a sight of her 1 mourn, 420 

" I'll strive not to regain her ! Rest secure, 

" Whoe'er thou art, dread ravisher ; I yield 

" To thee possession, and confirm thy prize. 

" But if by vows prevented, ye, who join'd 

" In aid, keep silence, O Latona, thou 425 

" At least may'st tell : Diana hath in thee 

" Perhaps confided : well thou know'st what love, 

" What anxious fears oppress a parent's heart : 

" Thee two fair offspring hail ; I own but one. 

" Ah, speak ! so shalt thou never be deprived 430 

" Of golden-hair'd Apollo ; so shall I 

" Possess through thee some shadow of relief." 

Still her immortal auditors reply 
In silent tears alone. <c What ! can ye weep 
" So much, and yet be silent to my grief ? — 435 

" Alas ! they leave me. Wherefore now prolong 
" A vain delay, O Ceres ? see'st thou not, 

Claud. F 



82 

" Too plainly, that the Gods refuse thee aid ? 
" Should'st thou not rather seek thy daughter lost, 
u Througli earth and all the seas ? Lo ! I prepare 440 
" To compass round the globe ! my feet untired 
" Shall visit every dim recess : no hour 
u Of intermission, no repose, no sleep 
" Shall seal my eyes till her 1 find, though hid 
" In the deep bosom of th' Iberian sea, 445 

ic Or "whelm'd beneath the ruby tide that laves 
" The shores of Araby ; not the pale snows 
c< On Renus, or Ripheus, shall prevent 
" My eager search, nor the more dreadful heat 
u Of dubious Syrtis ; to th' extremest bounds, 450 

" Where reigns the fiery South, my course shall stretch, 
u And pierce the frozen limits of the North ; 
" In th' utmost West my blazing torch shall rouse 
" Pale Atlas ; and Hydaspe's wave remote 
" Shall brighten with its beams. Relentless Jove 455 
" My w 7 and'rings sad, through waste, through peopled 
" realms, 



85 



w Calmly may view ; while Juno fears no more 

a Her rival lost. Insult then o'er my grief, 

" Ye deities who reign in heaven supreme, 

a And boast your glorious triumph o'er my child." 460 

She spoke, and hasten'd to the well-known shades 

Of gloomy Etna, eager to prepare 

The torches for her nightly wand'ring toil. 

Near golden Acis, (in whose sparkling wave. 
More than the Ocean loved, her snowy limbs, 4fi,5 

Pair Galatea bathes,) there stands a grove 
Cooling with grateful shade tall Etna's side. 
And there, 'tis said, after his conquest won, 
Heav'n's mighty ruler threw his aegis down, 
With gore empurpled, and his captived foes 470 

Bore on his shoulders ; with their slaughter'd forms 
He deck'd the horrid grove, and hung around, 
Dire witness of his triumph, ghastly shapes, 
And all the monstrous relics of the slain. 
Some countenance of vengeful fury glares 47«5 



84 



From ev'ry tree ; in whitening heaps around 

Huge serpent bones are laid, and blacken'd skins 

By thunder blasted ; ev'ry loaded branch 

Boasts of some glorious name : here bends a trunk 

Beneath the hundred swords and clenched hands 480 

Of fierce iEgeon's corse ; another vaunts 

The pale and livid form of ghastly Coeus ; 

Here hangs the spear of Mimas ; and the spoils 

Of huge Ophion. But a shadowy pine, 

Ample and tall, o'er all the rest exalts 485 

The boasted trophies of earth's mightiest son, 

Wrathful Enceladus ; and lest the tree 

Should bend o'erloaded with its weight, an oak 

Lends it more firm support. Rev'rence and fear 

Protect the sacred spot, and keep unharm'd 490 

These trophies of the Gods : there feed no flocks, 

No wand'ring Cyclop dares molest the shade* 

And Polypheme himself avoids the grove. 

Ceres that place respects not ; anger checks 



85 



Her piety ; she hurls the wasteful axe o 

Around, regardless, ready to assault 

E'en Jove himself: the pine she levels low, 

And throws the stately cedar to the ground. 

The fittest trunks she chooses, and essays, 

With proving hand, the strength of ev'ry stem, 500 

And tries the nature of each pliant bough. 

So he who structures the tall ship, to bear 
His costly merchandise o'er distant seas, 
Intent on safety, fells the shady beech, 
The alder straight, and ev'ry various wood 505 

Applies to separate uses ; to his sails 
He gives the slender, to his lofty mast 
The stronger trunk ; he chooses for his oar 
The toughest plant ; and the more solid beam 
Shapes to the fashion of the steady keel. 5 10 

Two cypresses uprear'd their leafy heads, 
High o'er the shaded turf, inviolate ; 



S6 



Such upon Ida's rocks Simois' stream 

Beholds not, nor Orontes' richer wave, 

Protector of the grove Apollo loves ; 515 

Twin- bom they seem'd, so near their forms were 

match'd, 
Scorning with beauteous pride the baser wood. 
These Ceres marks approving, and invades 
With cruel steel their bark-encompass'd sides ; 
Each tree by turns she strikes, and all her force 520 

Exerts" against their trembling life: at length 
They fall, and hide together in the dust 
Their sullied honors, prostrate on the plain ; 
Deplored by Fauns and Dryads. In her hands, 
Each fallen tree, vested with all its boughs, 52 5 

The Goddess bears, waves them on high, and speeds 
With furious pace, and tresses wildly free, 
To Etna's summit, breathing lurid flames : 
The fiery exhalation she disdains, 
And pathless rocks surmounts and torrid sands. 530 



87 



So fierce Megaera hasten'd to illume 
Her torch of deadly yew ; to fire the walls 
Of Cadmus, or Thyestes' mournful tow'rs : 
The sullen ghosts gave place, and tortured fiends 
Rejoiced, whilst by the burning lake she stood, 535 

And with abundaut streams inflamed her brand. 

Ceres, the mountain's blazing summit gain'd, 
Plunges th' inverted trees within its jaws ; 
Their spreading branches choak th' illumin'd gulf, 
And the strong breathing of the flames obstruct ; 540 

Groans Mulciber oppress'd ; loud thunders shake 
The cavem'd hill ; the cypress buds grow bright, 
With sparkling sulphur fired ; and Etna's self 
Emits unusual radiance o'er the isle. 

Then, lest these lights should fail, ere her tired feet 545 
Complete their task, quenchless and pure she bids 
Their splendor ever live ; sprinkling the wood 
With such rare dew as swift Apollo takes 



88 



To bathe his burniDg wheels, and Dian sheds 

Upon her horned yoke. And now, still Night 550 

Unfolding to the earth her shadowy veil, 

Ceres her search commences, sighing deep, 

And thus, with wounded bosom, pours her plaint : 

u These dismal torches, Proserpine, for thee 
" I did not think to bear ; but rather hoped 555 

" To light thy nuptial bow'r; thy songs of joy 
" To witness ; hymens pealing to the skies. 
" Lo ! are immortals thus by fate pursued, 
" And, with the indiscriminating rage 
" Of Lachesis o'erwhelm'd ? How was I wont 560 

" Proudly to bear me ; by an humble train 
" Surrounded, suing for my daughter's love ! 
" What fruitful parent did not yield to me, 
" Rich in a single pledge ! Thou wert my first, 
* My sole delight ; my last, my chiefest care ; 565 

" In thee I seem'd to own a num'rous race. 
" O sweet maternal pride ! O love ! O state 



8.9 



u Of fond security ! my lofty step 

" OutrivalPd Juno's ; nor my dignity 

" Nor grace inferior ; now detested, vile : 570 

" So Jove ordains. But why do we ascribe 

" To him the cause ! I, I alone, dear maid, 

u Thy cruel enemy, bore thee away ; 

" Deserted thee ; exposed thy helpless youth. 

" The hoarse-voiced bacchant through the dance I led, 

" And yoked the Phrygian lions to my car, 576 

16 Rejoicing o'er the plains, e'en while the foe 

" Was busy at thy life. Ah, witness now 

" My punishment, so well deserved : behold, 

" I rend my cheeks, and on my breast inflict 580 

" These bleeding wounds to expiate my crime ! 

" Where shall I seek thee ! in what clime remote, 
" What unknown region ! who shall guide my steps, 
" Who point the untried path ! What dreadful car 
" Bore thee away ; what ravisher ! of earth 585 

" Inhabitant, or sea ! how shall I trace 



90 

u His rapid wheels ! — Alas ! where'er my feet 
" Uncertain lead, I go, following blind fate : 
tf So her lost offspring sad Dione sought. 

€c Shall toil extreme suffice ! shall I once more, 590 
(e O daughter dear, embrace thee ? yet remains 
" Thy beauty's charm, thy cheek's resplendent hue r 
u Or, too unhappy, shall I find thee such 
iC As late when stealing on the fearful night, 
" Ghastly and pale, thou visited'st my dreams r" 595 

She spoke, and from the caves of Etna turn'd ; 
The sadly perish 'd flow'rs, and ev'ry sign 
Of pale destruction, through the wasted plains 
She follows, and illumines all around 
With searching light ; bearing her torches low. 600 

Her tears bedew the earth ; her mournful plaints 
Resound on ev'ry side. She tracks the sea 
With gleaming fires, that dance upon the floods, 
And give to Italy, and Lybia's sands,, 



91 

Far distant splendor ; while th' Etruscan shores 605 

Grow bright, and Syrtis kindles its dark waves : 

She seeks the cave of Scylla, half whose brood, 

Astonish'd, hush their barking jaws, while half, 

Yet undismay'd, their threatening cries encrease • 



KELIQUA DESIDERANTUR. 



RUFINUS. 



BOOK I. 



RUFINUS. 



BOOK I. 



Jntrotwctton 



When on the Cirrhan plain Apollo's shaft 
Victorious pierced the dreadful Python's side^ 
Hugest of monsters, whose envenom'd folds 
Circled the hills, while down his cavern'd throat 
Rivers affrighted fled ; whose sanguined crest 



96 

With impious rage was lifted to the stars : 

Freed from the horrid pest, Parnassus waved 

More gay her laughing groves ; the mountain ash 

Securely to the gale disclosed its leaves ; 

And smooth Cephisus, whose translucent stream 10 

The giant reptile had impoison'd oft, 

Roll'd clear his flood. The woods, the hills, the plains 

Resounded with the cries of joy ; each voice 

Sung the great victor's praise ; while in her fane 

The Sybil trembled with unusual fire ; 1 5 

And as the Muses charm'd the listening air 

With distant melodies, the host of heaven 

Descended upon earth. So as my song 

Records another Python slain, I see 

A sacred band attentive to my lyre SO 

Who peace and justice to the world dispense, 

And execute th' Augustan princes' will. 



RUFINUS. 



TBooi I. 



O ft naa< m y anxious mind revolved the thought, 
Uncertain, whether the celestial powers 
Bestow'd their care upon this lower world ; 
Or whether, guided by no higher hand, 
The tide of mortal things, blind chance alone 5 

Directed. For when erst I ponder'd o'er 
The wise obedience of the subject globe 
To certain laws ; the seasons' changeful lapse ; 
And day and night's vicissitude, I saw 
The mighty traces of a pow'rful God, 10 

Claud. G 



98 

Who bade the stars in beauteous order move ; 

And o'er the fruitful earth, with lavish hand, 

Threw the rich treasures of the smiling year, 

Gay fruits and painted flow'rs ; who gave the sun 

A native splendor, and to Dian's orb, 1 5 

Fickle, and pale, beams of reflected light. 

I mark'd how he had stretch'd the bounding shore 

By oceans deep, and this round planet poised 

Upon its axle smooth ; but when I traced 

The fallen state of sublunary things, 20 

And saw how oft among the sons of men, 

The guilty flourish'd, and the pious grieved, 

Again religion in my breast declined, 

And to that sad Philosophy I turn'd, 

Which teaches how the floating atoms met 25 

In the illimitable waste ; how chance, 

Not art, each various shape contrived ; which tells 

That deities in fancy's idle brain 

Are pictured ; and to men, existing not, 

Or utterly unknown. The vengeful doom 30 



99 

That on Rufinus fell, dissolved this dream, 

And proved the justice of the Gods. Nor now 

Do I complain that evil men are raised 

To th' utmost heights of fortune : they are borne 

On high to meet but with a heavier fall. 35 

Unfold, ye Muses, whence this monster sprung. 

Alecto late, with envy and dismay, 
Observed how all the earth was bless'd with peace : 
Promptly to horrid council she invokes 
Th' infernal sisters, and assembles, swift, 40 

Innumerable shapes of strife, and forms 
Terrific, by dim night, till then, conceaTd 
Within her shadowy cave ; Discord the nurse 
Of war, Famine, and Age near hand to Death ; 
Disease impatient of himself, and, sad 45 

At news of joy, pale Malice ; Sorrow wan, 
Weeping with garments torn ; and ghastly Fear ; 
And proud Audacity with blinded front ; 
And swoll'n and wasteful Luxury, whose step, 



100 



Still following close, dejected Want attends ; 50 

And ever-wakeful Care, of Avarice born. 

They crowd their iron seats ; and the wide courts 

Collected monsters throng. High o'er the rest 

Alecto stands, and the discordant rout 

Commands to silence ; while her snaky locks, 55 

From her stern forehead shook, she bids disport 

Innoxious round her shoulders ; then these words 

Impart the hate that struggles in her breast : 

" Shall then this age untroubled pass away, 

" And nations dwell in order and in peace ? 60 

11 Whence this new clemency that mars our reign ? 

" Why harmless falls our rage ? why feebly strikes 

t€ Our scorpion lash ? why do we raise in vain 

" The torch of strife ? Alas ! weak ministers ! 

" Stern Jupiter controls your pow'r in heav'n ; 65 

" Rome's emperor on earth. The golden age 

" Returns, and peace, and antique happiness. 

u Fair Concord, Virtue, and strict Piety, 

" With Faith, walk fearless through the world, and tell 



101 

" Their lofty triumphs loud. O shame! e'en me, 70 

" As late I glided through the liquid air, 

'* Astrea mock'd, boasting each rooted vice 

a Pluck'd from the earth, and prison'd justice freed. 

" And shall we slumber in ignoble ease, 

" Of all our rights despoil'd ? Let us attempt 75 

" What fits our name 5 resume our wonted pow'r, 

" And plan some mischief mightier than our foes. 

" In Stygian darkness I already seem 

" To cloud the stars, and tempest all the air ; 

" My hand removes the sea's strong limits, pours 80 

" Swift rivers o'er their broken banks, and plagues 

w All nature with confusion." Thus the fiend 

lll-omen'd spake, and shook her horrent hair 

Of living snakes, and scatter'd poison round, 

A doubtful tumult rises ; some demand 85 

Fierce war against the Gods ; others, more calm, 

For covert strife and home defence contend : 

Rumor upsprings from their dissension. Loud 

The uproar seems, as when the swelling deep 3 



102 



Yet feels the fury of some recent storm ; 90 

When with the fitful blast the billows strive, 
And, in their heaving agitation, show 
The mighty impulse of the pow'riul gale. 

Next from her ebon seat Megsera sprung ; 
Her, clamors wild, and error still attend, 95 

And pale and foaming Anger. She 'tis drinks, 
With horrid joy, the kindred stream that flows 
When fathers fight with sons — when brothers bleed. 
Her aspect terrified the dauntless soul 
Of calm Alcides, and awoke the rage 100 

Unhallow'd, that polluted all his fame ; 
She gave the spear to Athamas ; and twice, 
In royal Agamemnon's palace, raised 
The hand of slaughter at the festive board, 
And twice opposed the household deities : 105 

Fired too by her was that sad nuptial torch 
Which led Jocasta to her fated son, 
And to Thyestes join'd a daughter bride : — 



103 

Now the dread Fury wildly thus began. 

w O ye associates, I deem the voice, J 10 

u That counsels war with heav'n, unwise and vain ; 
" But if to spoil the world delight our hate, 
" To show'r destruction on mankind, I boast 
" An instrument more dreadful than the worst 
" Of hydra forms : behold Rutin us, fierce, 115 

" And subtle as the tigress in her den ; 
" More violent than whirlwind-storms, than seas 
" More false and changeable. Him 1 received, 
€< An infant, stolen from his mother's arms, 
" And nursed him in my bosom ; here he oft 120 

u Hath laid, and twining round my neck, implored 
" The breast, with tender cries ; these venom'd snakes 
" Fix'd harmless on his cheeks their lambent tongues. 
" As he to manhood grew, each fraudful art 
" I taught him — how dissimulation's robe 125 

u To wear, and how to hide, in hollow smiles, 
" Each discontented thought, each baleful scheme. 
" Thirstful of gain, as eager after blood, 



104 

" Not him the wealth of Tagus would content, 

" When torrent floods disturb the sparkling sands ; 13& 

" Nor full Pactolus rich with golden ore ; 

" Nor Hermas deep. How skill'd in artifice ; 

" How prone with breath of malice to dissolve 

" The faith of truest friends ! If former times 

" Had such a monster seen, Theseus had fled 135 

u From Pirithous, and Pylades forsook 

e< Orestes; and the twins of Leda changed 

" Their love to hatred. Me he hath surpass'd 

u In vice ; his ready genius soars above 

" Instruction. Why should 1 prolong the theme ! 140 

" Let it suffice that in himself combine 

" The sev'ral evils we but jointly hold. 

" Him will I straight conduct, so ye approve, 

u E'en to th' imperial chair where sits enthroned 

" Earth's mightiest sov'reign, who shall yield to us, 145 

" And to our fraudful son, though he were more 

" Than Numa wise, or sacred Minos just." 



105 

Clam'rous and wild, the rout profane declare 
Their joy in frantic mood ; and frequent shouts 
Attest high admiration and applause. 150 

She with a serpent binds her flowing robe, 
And clasps her locks with adamant, then hastes 
To dismal Phlegethon's resounding stream ; 
And standing on the burning mound that banks 
The flaming torrent, in the sulph'rous waves 155 

Illumes her fatal brand, and o'er the depth 
Of Tartarus expands her rapid' wing. 

There lies a spot on Gallia's distant shore, 
Wash'd by the azure tide ; where, it is said, 
Ulysses once allured the silent ghosts, 160 

With dark libations of unhallow'd blood. 
There may be heard, full oft, the plaintive moans 
Of pining shades forlorn, and the light sound 
Of airy piuions flitting on the gale, 

Whilst through the gloom th' affrighted peasant sees 156 
Pale wand'ring shapes, and images of death. 



106 



Thence bursts the Fury dire, and dims the rays 

Of Phoebus in her flight, and rends the air 

With loud terrific cry. The fearful shout 

Appals the distant Briton's savage ear, 170 

Shakes the Transalpine plains, checks the swift Rhine, 

And makes the startled sea roll back her tides. 

Then with dissembled years to veil her form, 

Her snakes she changes to the locks of age, 

Imprints deep furrows in her rugged cheeks, 1 75 

And feigns a feeble step. And now she gains 

Elusa's walls, and seeks the well known roof 

Where dwells Rufinus ; there arrived, long time 

She gazes on the worst of men, with eyes 

Ghastly and wild ; then thus her fraudful tongue. 180 

" Rufinus, shall inglorious ease delight 
" Thy wasting hours ? shall thy fresh flow'ring youth 
" Ignobly fade in thy paternal fields ? 
" O dull of soul, the hand of Fate prepares 
" E'en now thy greatness, wealth, and splendid fame. 1 85 



107 

u Be but my pow'r consulted, and thy sway, 

" Unrivall'd, shall extend o'er all the globe. 

u Spurn not the help of age : to me belong 

" The arts of magic, and that prescient glance 

" Which pierces through futurity ; those strains 190 

" Whose deadly force steals from the radiant moon 

" Her brightness, I have learn'd ; and well can trace 

" The wise Egyptian's lore, in mystic line, 

<{ Or hieroglyphic rude, and that dark verse 

u Chaldean, which compels the lab'ring Gods 195 

" To work a mortal's will ; nor from my sight 

* Escape those hidden juices which reside, 

" Of dire effect, in tree, or herb, or flovvV,' 

u On savage Caucasus, or Scythia's rocks, 

" Pregnant with fatal charms ; such as of old 200 

u Medea chose, and that fair nymph renown'd, 

" Circe, the radiant daughter of the sun. 

" Oft, by the midnight incantation roused, 

" I summon to my aid the pow'rs of hell, 

" With Hecate stern ; and the reluctant dead 205 



108 



" Pluck from their quiet graves ; my thrilling song 

u Can steal the spirit from its mortal frame, 

" While the deluded Fates, with careful toil, 

" Spin on the useless thread ; my charms displace 

" The rooted forest, and in rapid flight 210 

" Delay Jove's light'ning : rivers backward roll, 

" And at my bidding hasten to their source. 

e< Think not my words are false : behold e'en now 

" I change thy household deities." She spoke : 

And suddenly the marble walls assumed 215 

Unusual radiance, and the ceilings shone 

With fretted gold. Attracted by the sight, 

He feasts his ardent eyes upon the scene, 

Rejoicing in his wealth. E'en so at first 

Maeonia's king, with swelling heart, elate, 220 

Perceived the wonders of his magic touch ; 

But when he saw the dainties of his board 

Harden apace, and the rich flowing wine 

Freeze into solid ore, he spurn'd the gold. 

And cursed his hand that wrought such fatal change. 225 



100 

Won by the act, Rufinus quick exclaims : 
" Be thou a mortal, or a god, thy will 
" Henceforward I obey." Leaving his home, 
Eastward he shapes his course, to where, afar, 
The Cyanean isles, once moving shores, 230 

Threaten the narrow seas — that streight renown'd 
Of Bosphorus, where sail'd the Argonauts 
On bold design ; whose stormy waters part 
The tow'rs of Asia from the Thracian coast. 

At length his toilsome journey is complete ; 23.5 

And, guided by the Fates' malignant care, 
A royal dome he enters : here his heart 
Conceives ambition, venal and corrupt. 
His clients he deceives, betrays their trust, 
And sells the smiles and honors of his prince ; 240 

The injured he incites to deep revenge, 
Inflames their wounds, and nourishes their hate. 

E'en as the Ocean drinks each various stream 



110 



With sateless drought ; the flowing Ister cool, 

The sultry Nile ; and, all unsatisfied, 245 

Still thirsts for more ; so doth his avarice, 

Though fed with floods of gold, still gape for food. 

If of a splendid ornament possess'd 

Some one he haply sees, or turns his eye 

Where more luxuriant fields perfume the air; 250 

Rufinus' stores the ravish'd jewel swells, 

And the rich land its lord's destruction dooms : 

Plenty becomes a curse ; straight from his home, 

His ancient fields, he drives the victim forth ; 

Plunders the living, and defrauds the heir. 255 

Uncounted stores, the rapine of a world, 

One house receives : the people are enslaved, 

And cities crouch to private tyranny. 

What dost thou madly seek ? , if to thy will 
Each Ocean yielded, and rich Lydia pour'd 260 

For thee her golden streams ; were thine the throne 
Of Croesus, and gay Persia's diadem ; 



Ill 

Still would'st thou sigh, unsatisfied and poor. 

Desire makes needy men. Wisely content, 

Fabricius spurn'd the oflPrings of a king ; 265 

Consuls have toil'd beside the weary plough, 

And narrow walls immortal heroes held. 

More rich to me such poverty ; more dear 

My lowly roof, than palaces like thine. 

Thee, lux'ry palls with oft untasted food : 270 

Freely to me the earth a banquet gives. 

What though thy fleeces steal the Tyrian die, 

And all thy broider'd vests are richly stain'd 

With regal purple : flowers to me are bright, 

And the gay meadows mock the pride of art. 175 

Let the resplendent couch, and gilded room, 

Invite thy rest : the fragrant herbage courts 

My careless limbs to more profound repose ; 

And while thy halls with early clamor ring ; 

The warbling songs of birds, and murm'ring brooks 280 

Awake my morning hours. Life needs not wealth : 

Nature to all around dispenses joy. 



112 

If they were known, would not the world retire 

To taste such pleasure* ? on th' embattled plain 

No trumpet then would bray ; no hissing dart 285 

Empierce the air ; no ship contend with storms, 

Nor ponderous engine strike the trembling walls. 

Still doth that hateful avarice increase 
In fierce Rufinus ; he fresh plunder seeks 
By violence, or shameless fraud ; and still 290 

Conceals, with hollow courtesies and smiles, 
His ill intent : but if his purpose fail, 
No lion stricken by Getulian spears, 
No howling tigress plunder'd of her whelps, 
Nor wounded serpent, can exceed his rage, 295 

Or match the fury swelling in his heart : 
His oaths affront the majesty of heav'n : 
His victim falls not singly ; to his wrath 
.The slaughter'd children and the murder'd wife 
Supply too poor a sacrifice : they die 300 

Who kindred or acquaintance claim ; nor then 



113 



His hatred rests ; e'en the unhappy land 

That nursed his foe, he to destruction dooms, 

And strives to sweep its memory from the earth. 

Nor swift the stroke of death ; tortures precede : 305 

Darkness, and bonds, and stripes delay the sword. 

His mercy wounds more keenly than the steel ; 

And life is spared to misery : death yields 

Too little for revenge. Secure in guilt, 

Himself is criminal and judge. He owns 310 

No virtue, vigilant in crimes ; no shores 

Are safe from his pursuit ; not Sirius fierce, 

Nor Winter, howling o'er Riphean rocks, 

Retards his eagerness : Meanwhile his heart 

Consumes with anguish, lest the slaughtering sword 3 1 5 

Should fail, or royal clemency awake. 

Nor innocence, nor trembling age, he spares : 

The son is slain before the father's face ; 

The aged sire condemn'd to banishment. 

What tongue can tell, what weeping eye deplore 320 

The fulness of their woe ! Compared to his, 

Claud. H 



114 



What were the deeds of those atrocious men 

Whose murd'rous acts fame shudders to relate ; 

Sinis, who bound his foes to bending trees, 

Sciron, or Phalaris, or Scylla fell ! 525 

O gentle steeds of Diomed ! O fanes 

Of merciful Busiris ! — If compared 

To dread Rutinus, Spartacus appears 

A lenient robber, cruel Cinna, just. 

Wild terrors seize the victims of his hate, 330 

Inly they groan, nor dare attempt revenge. 

But the high soul of Stilicho disdains 
All abject fear ; calm in the midst of strife, 
He lifts his sword, and dares the monster's ire : 
No magic car he needs, nor the swift wings S35 

Of Pegasus. Peace on his presence waits. 
A tow'r in storms, a shield against despair, 
In him the sad find refuge, and his arm 
Protects and conquers : Ruin checks her hand, 
Aud dangers fly before him. So the course 340 



115 



Of swoirn and angry torrents, some huge rock 

Opposes, when the waters rage, and hurl, 

With deaf 'ning roar, uprooted trees and stones, 

Along their furious waves. — O thou whose might 

Sustain'd a falling world, what praise may best 345 

Adorn thy name ? to us the Gods have made 

Thy presence welcome as the gentle star, 

Whose friendly ray the lonely seaman cheers, 

When his toss'd bark the pilot's guiding skill 

No more obeys. Perseus, as fame reports, 350 

With conquering arm the ocean-monster fought, 

And dyed the waters with its blood ; but he 

On soaring wings was safe, and doubly arm'd 

With Gorgon shield : thou neither pinions strong, 

Nor Medusean locks didst need in fight. 355 

Him love inspired : the Roman, welfare thee. 

Henceforth Antiquity no more shall boast 

Of wise or glorious acts ; thy deeds surpass 

Alcides' toil ; in one dark wood alone 

Nemaea's lion raged, and to one grove 360 



116 



The dreadful boar its ravages confined ; 

Antaeus, thou beyond the Lybian shores 

Extendedst not thy sway ; Crete, only, heard 

The roaring bull, and Lerna's single lake 

The Hydra vex'd. But not one sea alone, 365 

Nor one wide shore this tyrant- monster ranged : 

All that beneath the Latian empire bow'd, 

From distant Ganges to th' Iberian shore, 

Dreaded his name : not Geryon, triple-form'd, 

Nor howling Cerberus could wake such fear ; 370 

Nor if one horrid shape, the Hydra's strength 

Could take, with Scylla's fierce rapacity, 

And wild Ckimaera's fire. Arduous and long 

Th' unequal contest raged, when virtue warr'd 

With vice. Rufinus bares the sword ; thy arm 375 

Prevents its execution : he the rich 

Despoils ; thou givest to the poor : 'tis his 

To move destruction ; to restore is thine : 

He fights ; but thou art master of the field. 



117 



As some dire pestilence, encreasing fast 380 

Through all th' infected region of the air, 
First on the cattle feeds, and then devours 
Cities and nations, and with sultry blast 
Drops on th' infected rivers Stygian dews ; 
So this insatiate spoiler not alone 38.5 

Destroys the people, but aspires to shake 
E'en thrones and sceptres, and would trample down 
Th' imperial dignity of sacred Rome. 
From Scythia's barren fields, and Ister's shore, 
He tempts each barb'rous race, of warlike mood, 390 
Betraying to the foe his native troops. 
The wild Sarmatian, and the mingled tribes 
Of Dacia come, and they who quaff their cup$ 
Distain'd with blood ; the Alan bold who drinks 
Of cool Maeotis, with the Gelon fierce, 395 

Who paints his warrior limbs with dusky hues ; 
A num'rous band : meanwhile with secret pow'r 
He aids their cause, and checks the arms of Rome. 

For when thy conquering sword, to Getic hosts, 



118 



In full revenge for brave Promo tus slain, 400 

Resistless, would have dealt the final blow, 
While yet their force was weak, the conquest sure : 
Then did Rufinus, traitor to his gods, 
And with that crew barbarian leagued, defer 
With subtle sleight the battle, feigning aid 405 

From other pow'rs ; though well he knew the Huns 
Were near at hand, and firm to join the foe. 

Beyond Tana'i's' shore, in Scythia's clime 
Their country lies : the stedfast Northern star 
Sees not a race more dreadful ; rude their garb, 410 

Terrific in their mien ; their ardent minds 
Endure perpetual toil ; the dext'rous spear 
Supplies their sanguine feast, nor know they aught 
Of Ceres' art ; their faces they delight 
To scar with wounds, and deem it glorious 415 

To swear by murder'd sires. Join'd to their steeds, 
Like Centaur-forms they sit, rapid in flight, 
Impetuous in pursuit. Yet, fearless, thou, 



119 



O Stilicho, against that barb'rous tribe, 
Ledst on thy warriors to the Hebrus' shore ; 420 

While thus, ere shrilling trumpets roused the fight, 
Thy suppliant vows to fav'ring Mars were paid : 

" O God of battles, whether thou liest at ease 
" On cloudy Hemus, or upon the brow 
" Of frozen Rhodope ; on Athos' hill, 425 

" Wooed by the Persian's oar, or on the top 
" Of high Pangaeus, dark with waving woods ; 
" Be with us, and protect the sons of Thrace : 
u If ours the glory, thine shall be the spoil. ,, 

He heard, and from his snowy rocks arose, 430 

And calTd his ministers : " Bellona, swift, 
" My plumed helm ; let Fear my cac prepare, 
ie And Terror yoke the steeds. Urge, urge your haste. 
" Me to the battle Stilicho invites, 

" Most favor'd of my sons ; oft hath his hand 435 

" Enrich'd my altars, and with hostile crests 



120 



" Adorn'd the oak. Together to the field 

" We rush, one clarion calls us on, and him 

" My car accompanies/' He spoke, and leap'd 

Upon the tented plain : the flying foe 440 

Now Mars, now fearless Stilicho pursues, 

Alike in arms and form ; high waved their plumes, 

Their mail-clad limbs were bathed in sweat, and deep 

The satiated spear imbibed the gore. 

Meanwhile Megaera, boastful in success, 445 

And with abundant slaughter gratified, 
Now sees Astraea in her lonely tow'r, 
Dejected and forlorn : her thus she taunts 
With ireful speech : " behold that peaceful age, 
" That golden period to thee so dear ! 450 

" Lo ! happiness once more returns, and we 
" Sad Furies, find no residence on earth. 
" Tunr thy glad eyes to yonder ruin'd walls, 
" Bright with barbarian flames, and there behold 
" The work of desolation — woe and death. 455 



121 



M That blood Rufinus on my altar pours ; 

u The livid corses feed the Hydra's jaws. 

M Leave, leave mankind : their fate henceforth is mine. 

11 Speed to the starry regions — to that sphere 

" Where the bright Zodiac glitters in the south ; 460 

" Near to the fiery lion take thy seat, 

" Where Libra yields a space. Would that my hate 

" With unrelenting rigor could pursue ! 

The goddess calm returns : " Not long thy rage 
(i Shall terrify the earth : thy fav'rite dies ; 465 

" The victor's sword hangs over him, and soon 
« His groaning ghost departs ; his hated corse 
" Shall find no grave. . E'en now the age exults : 
" Great as his godlike sire Honorius comes. 
" He the wild Indian and the Mede subdues ; 470 

" Kings bow beneath his yoke ; the frozen stream 
" Of Phasis, by his courser's heel is spurn'd ; 
" And o'er Araxes proud his banners wave. 
" Thee from the daylight driv'n, in heaviest chains, 



122 



" Shorn of thy serpent locks, hell's horrid depth, 475 

" Expectant, craves. Then the glad earth to all 

* Shall yield her stores ; the free luxuriant plain 

u No boundary shall part, no ploughshare cleave ; 

" Spontaneous harvests suddenly shall bless 

a The reaper train ; and ev'ry oak distil 480 

" The golden honey ; while the lakes and streams, 

" Rich with the purple juice, and fragrant oil, 

" O'erflow. No more let gilded pomp derive 

" Resplendent robes, from fleeces stain'd by art ; 

" In living hues, more bright the flocks shall glow, 485 

" And sparkling gems bedeck the radiant shores." 



END OF BOOK I. 



RUFINUS. 



BOOK II. 



Jntrotmctiotu 



Once more, O Muses, celebrate the groves 
Of Helicon ! Amid their sacred haunts 
Your train may freely rove. No hostile trump 
With shrill alarm, the softer melodies 
Of joy disturbs ; Terror hath fled afar ; 



126 

And thou, Apollo> crownest with a wreath 

Thy great avenger. The polluted lips 

Of fierce barbarians now no more defile 

Castalia's fountain, and the hallow'd stream 

Where inspiration dwells. Alpheus bore 10 

The tide of slaughter down his lucid waves, 

And redden'd Sicily's triumphant seas, 

While distant Arethusa's azure stream, 

Distain'd with blood, the recent conquest knew. 

Now let the toil and dangers of the field 15 

Be changed for grateful ease ; yield to the lyre 
Thy lofty mind, O Stilicho, nor scorn 
Awhile to listen to the gentle Muse : 



127 

Lo, oft victorious Mars, with battles tired, 

Lays his unconquerM limbs on Thracian snows, 20 

In calmed mood, forgetful of his state, 

And to Pierian songs inclines his ear. 



KUFINUS. 



Xoofe II. 



Now were the Alpine regions and the plains 
Of rich Hesperia won ; removed above, 
TV imperial victor graced the starry heav'ns ; 
And to thy care, O Stilicho, devolved 
The pow'r of Rome, the guidance of the state, t 

With all the arms, and rival majesty 
Of either court. And now Rufinus seeks 
Once more to vex the world with horrid war ; 
His heart endures not peace, nor can his hand 
Refrain from blood ; thus to himself he grieves : — 10 
Claud. I 



130 



u How shall I now protect my threaten'd life ? 

" How stem the overwhelming flood ? alas ! 

" The snares of hatred compass me around, 

" And circling foes eventful deeds prepare ! 

" How theu escape ? no armed force is mine, 15 

tf No prince befriends my cause ; each hour matures 

" My danger ; and the hov'ring sword of fate 

u Now glitters o'er my head. What then remains 

" But that some great destruction I contrive, 

11 And crush the guiltless nations in my fall ? 20 

u My vengeful soul could taste delight in death, 

" 'Mid gen'ral doom ; the ruin of the world 

" Shall yield a solace in that bitter need. 

" Till then endure, my fate ! and be my pow'r 

" With life alone extinct." — Resolved he speaks. 25 

And as swift Eolus unchains the winds 

To bluster through the air, so he lets loose 

The nations, and dissolves the bonds of peace. 

No region is secure, o'er all he pours 

The tide of slaughter. Some to battle rush 30 



131 



Upon the frozen Danube, and the car 

Of desolation urge, where late in peace 

The dashing oar was heard : from Caspian wastes, 

From chill Armenia, led through secret paths, 

Each savage tribe comes forth, in greedy hope 35 

To spoil the gorgeous empire of the East. 

The plains of Cappadocia, and the hill 

Of cold Argaeus, to the din of war 

Resound : the Halyx reddens with the fight ; 

Nor can Cilicia's rocks defend her fields. 40 

Through the rich tract of Syria's beauteous shore 

Destruction stalks ; Orontes' flowery side, 

Used to the song of peaceful joy alone, 

And warbling choirs, the mail-clad courser spurns ; 

Asia is drown'd in tears ; Europe, a prey, 45 

To fierce barbarians ; from the Euxine sea, 

Far as the Adriatic's roaring gulf, 

The discord rages ; o'er the ravaged plains 

The shepherd flies, the unfed cattle droop ; 

The furrowed lands appear like Lybian wastes, 50 



132 



Which, parch'd by torrid and incessant suns, 

No human culture own. Bare are the fields 

Of fruitful Thessaly, and Pelion's hill 

No more is vocal to the rustic pipe. 

Devouring flames Emathia's verdure seize ; ,55 

Pannonia becomes the spoiler's prey, 

And Thrace and Mysia fall : still none bewail 

The work of havoc, ev'ry heart becomes 

Inured to misery, by successive ills, 

Each heavier than the last. How soon decay 60 

May steal on grandeur ! that majestic state 

CiainM by the sword of millions, and secured 

With many a nation's blood, — the glorious work 

Of heroes, the unrivall'd, lasting throne, — 

Which all the strength of Rome, the toil of years, 65 

Could scarcely raise, now in one short-lived hour, 

A traitor's weak and worthless hand o'erthrows. 

That city too, which, emulous of Rome, 
Rears its proud spires o'er waste Chalcedon ? s sand, 



135 



Now trembles in dismay ; near and more near 70 

The watch fires burn, the trumpet's shrill alarms 

Sound at her gates, and flying spears invade 

Her walls. Within, the pale inhabitants 

Keep fearful guard ; some on the ramparts mount, 

Some climb the ships, and stretch around the port. 75 

Meanwhile Rufinus, in the city's woe 

Rejoicing, to a lofty turret hastes, 

And eager contemplates the hostile camp. 

He sees the daughters of the plain in bonds, 

The wounded villager cast forth to die, 80 

In pools and streams, or in his wilder'd flight 

Transfix'd, or slain beside his cottage door ; 

The aged perish, and with infant blood 

Maternal breasts are stain'd. These direful scenes 

With horrid joy dilate his heart, and move 85 

His lips to smile ; if one short pang he owns,. 

'Tis that his hand partakes not of the act. 

On all around he sees the wasting fire, 

Insatiate, prey ; he revels in delight, 



134 



And hails the fell destroyer. Oft he boasts 90 

That him alone the hostile camp receives, 

To parley, or to council. Round him throngs 

A num'rous band of arm'd attendants, slaves, 

And dire associates. In the midst he rides, 

Clad in barbarian furs, with flowing reins ; 95 

The ponderous quiver, and resounding bow, 

And all his garb, reveal a hostile mind. 

He blushes not to change the robes of state 

For savage vests, while Roman courts deplore 

Their judge debased. What was the aspect then ? — 100 

The secret murmurs of the people ? none 

Dared openly to shed their tears ; no voice 

Complain'd aloud ; in private thus they mourn : 

" How long must we this galling yoke sustain, 

" These terrors bear ? When shall oppression cease ? 105 

" What hand can now our miseries relieve, 

" Or dry our tears ? On us barbarians rise, 

" And, worse than they, Rufinus is our foe. 

" No refuge, no escape ; the laud, the sea, 



135 

u Are guarded ; Danger threatens us abroad ; 110 

* Horrors, and death, at home. O Stilicho, 

" Haste to thy falling country ! in these walls, 

" Sweet pledge of love, thy blooming daughter lives ; 

" Thy mansion too is here ; and these our skies 

" Witness'd thy nuptial bliss ; for thee too blazed 1 15 

" The torch of Hymen in the regal dome. — 

" O hasten to our aid ! e'en if alone 

" Thou com'st, thy presence will dismay our foes, 

" And curb this monster's rage." — Such were the storms 

That ravaged now the empire of the East. 120 

But when the genial breath of Spring dissolved 
The colder year, and deck'd in fresh attire 
The frozen glebe, ttan, having left the states 
Of Italy secure in peace, his camp 

Removing, Stilicho advances swift 123 

To where the orient sun first lights the world ; 
Strength'ning his warlike force, with chosen troops 
From Gallia and the East. So vast an host, 



136 



So various, ne'er before appear'd beneath 

A waving banner. To the crowded field 130 

Th' Armenian comes, who loosely robes his limbs 

And crisps his braided hair ; and each fierce tribe 

Of Gaul, with fiery tresses ; from the banks 

Of Rhone they haste, from Arar's gliding stream, 

And rapid Rhine, whose foaming waters lave 135 

Their infant brood ; and from the full Garrone, 

Whose furious waves, the angry ocean meets, 

And drives them backward to their source. Each breast 

One feeling animates ; their recent wounds 

They scorn; the vanquished with the victor joins 140 

To aid the general cause, and they, whom late 

Insatiate wrath, and civil discord fired, 

Now follow to the field one common lord. 

So moved in elder times that myriad host, 

Pour'd out from half the globe, by Xerxes proud 145 

In pageant splendor led ; the thirsting bands 

Exhausted in their route the mightiest streams, 

Shadow'd the light of day with arrowy show'rs, 



137 

And dug with giant toil through mountains wide, 

To steer their tall ships 'mid the wooded hills ; 150 

While o'er the bridged sea the army pass'd. 

Scarcely had Stilicho advanced his force 
Beyond the Alps, ere the barbarian horde 
Call'd in their scatter'd troops, and trembling form'd 
A camp for gen'ral safety, fenced around 155 

With palisade and foss, and mimic walls, 
Of circling waggons built, and hides of bulls. 

But in his distant tow'r Rufinus feels 
A secret horror ; long perplex'd he stands 
With pale and bloodless cheeks, doubtful if best 160 

To speed his guilty flight, or his dread foe 
In abject terms implore, or join the camp 
Barbarian. — What now avails his wealth, 
His heaps of shining ore, his spacious courts 
Resplendent, and his tow'r s that pierce the sky ?— 165 
With boding heart he waits his enemy, 



1S8 

Counts o'er the intervening space of time, 

Numbers each mile, and so computes the hours 

His fleeting life may last. He looks with dread 

On future peace. Repose is not for him ; 170 

Oft from his couch he starts with phrenzied soul, 

Oppress'd by guilty fear, the worst of woes. 

Yet to his wonted fierceness soon he turns, 

And arms his breast with vice ; th' imperial dome 

He gains, and to Arcadius thus prefers 17^ 

His pray'r with threat'ning mix'd : " By the bright crown 

" Thy brother wears, by each immortal act 

" Thy godlike sire achieved, lo 1 adjure 

" Thine aid, flow'r of thy race ! shield me from death : 

u . Protect me from the wrath of Stilicho. 180 

" All Gallia wars against my life ; each shore 

* The ocean laves, the distant land that lies 

" Beyond Britannia's isle, if such there be, 

n Conspire to work my fall ; for this one deed, 

" Nations combine their strength! ten thousand swords 

" Demand a single head ! Wherefore this rage? 186 



139 

u Lo to himself he arrogates the world, 

" Scorning a rival ; Italy he sways, 

" Rules over Lybia, and dictates laws 

" To Gallia, and to Spain : all that the sun 190 

" Beholds, all nature's comprehensive reign, 

" To his ambition, yield too poor a space. 

" The treasures which thy royal father piled 

" Within this palace, the profaner hand 

" Of Stilicho would ravage ; him alone . 195 

" These wars enrich, and what his av'rice grasps, 

" His pow'r confirms his prize. — behold how peace 

" Attends on him ; on us grim battles low'r. 

u Why should he seek thine empire ? bid him quit 

" Th' Illyrian borders, and disband his troops SCO 

" Collected in the East ; bid him divide, 

" Between the brothers, the imperial force : 

" Not to the sceptre only wert thou heir, 

" The armies of this realm are thine. But if 

" Thou wilt permit this foe, or to my cause 205 

" Dost hesitate thine aid, by hell's dread pow'r, 



140 

(i And by th' eternal stars above, I swear, 

" This life, alone, shall never glut the sword ; 

u Another's head shall fall ; the Stygian realms 

" Not unattended -shall Rufinus seek ; 210 

u Nor shall the victor smile upon my grave." — 

He speaks and dictates to th' unwilling prince 

An order to prevent the chiefs approach. 

Meanwhile, exulting, Stilicho draws near 
The hostile trenches ; his heroic bands, 215 

He loudly cheers with bold and martial voice. 
The Gaul his right, th' Armenian forms his left ; 
And nearer now upon the plain are seen, 
Through clouds of dust, a .thousand foaming steeds, 
And many a lifted lance, with artful forms 220 

Of purple snakes adorn'd, which, as the air 
More freshly blows, in living fierceness seem 
To sport upon the gale. The radiant arms 
Glance o'er the plains of Thessaly, illume 
The cave of Chiron, and the woody banks 225. 



141 

Where young Achilles play'd ; (Eta's dark groves 

The splendor pierces ; snowy Ossa hears 

The thunders of the field, whilst with deep roar 

Olympus answers to the din of war. 

Now, with high courage fired, each valiant breast 230 

Is prodigal of life. Mountains nor floods 

Had barrier'd their course ; their mast'ring swords, 

Resistless^ would have cumber'd all the plain. 

If to this ardor, then, the Fates had lent 
Fit opportunity, Greece had not seen, 235 

In after days, such slaughter on her shores ; 
The house of Pelops, the Arcadian tow'rs, 
And antient Lacedemon might have stood ; 
Nor had the sea reflected back the fires 
Of blazing Corinth, nor th' Athenian dames €40 

Wept o'er their servile state : a single day fLj^^b 

Had ended all our wars, and banish'd far 
Each cause of future misery. Alas ! 
Invidious Fortune from our rising hopes 



142 



That glorious triumph stole ! —A band of horse, 245 

In rich caparison, with trumpet's blast, 

The royal mandate to the chief conveys. 

Amazed he listens ; grief and anger strive 

Within his breast, and wonder fills his mind, 

That one so base should have such pow'r to harm. 250 

Dubious to tempt the combat, or to quit 

His noble enterprize, he burns t' avenge 

lllyria's wrongs, yet fears to violate 

His sovereign's will ; one while his country's good, 

Anon the dread of faction sways his mind: 255 

At length his hands uplifting to the skies, 

Sternly the hero thus his thoughts express'd. 

" Ye unrelenting deities, whose wrath 
P Not all the miseries of Rome can sate ! 
u If ye the ruin of this empire seek, 260 

u Or, weary of the human race, devise 
" Entire destruction to the groaning world ; 
" Let the vast ocean heave, and drown the plains, 



143 

" Or with the fiery coursers of the sun, 

** Once more confound the globe ! Why should mankind 

" Derive inglorious ruin from Rufinus ? 266 

" The earth abhors so base an instrument. — 

" By strong necessity alone compell'd, 

" We sheathe our unstain'd swords. O lofty tow'rs, 

" Doom'd to devouring flames ; O ancient walls, 270 

" By desolation threaten'd, witness ye 

" My anguish ! yet I yield, and to its fate 

" This miserable land resign. Bow down 

" Your standards, pleaders of the brave ! retire, 

u Ye warriors, to your homes ! no more give breath €75 

"To shrilling trumpets ! hide your useless spears ! 

" Spare the contiguous enemy, for so 

" Rufinus wills ! " — This said, loud murmurs rise 

Among the troops, such as Ceraunia's rocks 

Send forth when stricken by the angry waves, 280 

Or like th' impetuous thunders that resound 

O'er watry Cora. They refuse to part, 

Impatient of their prey ; each tribe invokes 



144 



The gen'ral leader, and demands his aid. 

The soldier's love, their friendly mutiny^ 285 

Much move the hero's breast. Thus they exclaim : 

" Who from our grasp shall wrest the shining blade, 
iC The pointed spear, or loose our bended bows ? 
• Who to the glist'ning steel can give a law ? 
" Courage once roused, no future effort quells. 290 

" Already, thirsting for barbarian gore, 
u Our arrows wing the air ; our vengeful hands> 
" Unconscious, wield the sword ; our sheath disdains 
u A bloodless weapon. Why must we endure 
u These evils ? Shall our discord always prove 295 

fC Productive only to our foes ? behold, 
" A civil war again is near. Alas ! 
" Divide not then these kindred eagles : we, 
e( A band conjunct, indissoluble, form. 
" Where'er thou shapest thy way, we follow still ; 300 
" To distant Thule cursed by wintry skies, 
" To Lybia's burning sands. Say, wilt thou seek 



145 

" The plains of India, or the red-sea shores, 

" Our lips with thine shall quaff the golden waves 

" Of rich Hydaspes : if the torrid south, S0.5 

" And Nile's remotest banks, delight thee more, 

" We also will forsake our native realms, 

" And deem that spot our country where the tents 

" Of Stilicho arise." — The hero thus : 

" Repress this violence, my friends, nor vent SIO 

a These angry threats ; glory can never crown 
" The war which private injury would urge. 
" Ye brave and tried companions of my toil, 
" Farewell ! " — Straight he departs, nor utters more. 
Indignant so the hungry lion stalks, 315 

Impatient of his foes, when, all in arms, 
The rustic train compels his sullen flight, 
With fire and sharpened steel; his lordly mane 
He droops, and shuts his glowing eyes, and seeks 
The woods with deep and melancholy roar. 320 

Dismiss'd the legions, through each rank prevails 
The cry of lamentation ; tears bedew 

Claud. K 



146 



Their iron casques, their mailed bosoms heave 

Oppressive sighs. " Are we abandon'd then ?" — 

They sternly ask, — " forbidden to pursue S2S 

" Thy footsteps ? Why dost thou disdain thy troops, 

u Oft crown'd by gay Bellona's victor hand ? 

" Are we degenerate ; or does the West 

" With happier fortune claim alone thy care ? 

t( What doth it now avail us to behold 330 

" Our gods, our families, our home restored ? 

" Without thy presence all these blessings fail. 

" Already o'er our heads the tyrant's wrath 

u Impends ; e'en now perhaps he spreads his snares, 

" And dooms us slaves to yon barbarian crew. 335 

" But not so tamely shall our valor yield : 

" Still will we grasp the sword. What though, the while, 

" Beneath the western sun thine hours are spent, 

" Thou art our leader still, and still shalt prove 

" Our faith, though distant far : Due to thy wrongs 340 

" A victim at the shrine of vengeance falls. 



147 



Reluctantly they quit th' Hemonian plain, 
And reach Thessalonica's neighb'ring walls, 
With sorrow deeply rooted in their hearts, 
Brooding in silence on their great revenge. 345 

They plot a time for acting of the deed, 
And fix the hour of fate ; nor is there found, 
Among their youthful bands, one heedless tongue 
To mar the glorious purpose. Future times 
Shall wonder that a vulgar crowd preserved &5Q 

So great an enterprize inviolate ; 
That through a long and toilsome march, no speech, 
No casual word betray'd to stranger ears 
Their high intent. E'en cautious o'er their cups. 
Mute secresy prevails through all the host, 355 

And keeps the mystery from public note. — 
They pass the Hebrus, and the rocky bounds 
Of savage Thrace, until at length they reach 
The antient city by Alcides named. 



148 



Nor from Rufinus did report conceal 360 

The chiefs departure, and the troops' approach : 
Greatly he triumphs, deems himself secure, 
And burns to grasp the sceptre ; thus his voice 
Excites the bold companions of his guilt : 
" We conquer, and expel the foe ; full soon S65 

" This wealthy empire shall become our prey : 
<f No enemy we need to dread ; for if 
" All unprotected he assail'd us not, 
" Will he presume to tempt the battle now, 
" When friendly aid is near ? What man e'er struck 370 
" The warrior arm'd, whom naked he did shun ? 
" Go now, O Stilicho, and idly muse 
" Upon my ruin, in far distant climes. 
fC Wide regions part us, and the roaring sea ; 
" Nor shalt thou pass again the Alpine heights 375 

" While life and pow'r are mine. Bid thy swift darts 
" Imbibe my blood, or seek a lengthen'd sword 
" To strike from Italy against our walls ! 
" Do ancient records move thee not, or tales 



149 



" Of modern times ? audacity like thine S80 

u Who can display, or boast of his escape 

" From our encircling grasp ? one half the globe 

« We have proscribed thee ; and to us thy troops 

H Now render service. Spread the festive board, 

" My brave companions, bring your sumptuous gifts, 385 

" And let your gold allure our new allies. 

" To-morrow's-dawn will smile upon my vows, 

" Arcadius himself shall grant my suit, 

" And though reluctant share with me his throne. 

" Thus shall I proudly spurn the subject's life, 390 

" Nor yet incur the tyrant's hated name." 

Loudly the servile train applaud his words ; 
For they had feasted on the public spoil, 
And kindred crimes in strictest bond had tied 
Rufinus* fate with theirs. Eager and glad, 395 

Already in their evil thoughts they sate 
Each lawless passion, and for plunder ripe 
Count o'er the towns and cities of the realm. 



150 



Now o'er the wearied world dim night began 
To spread her dusky veil ; and gentle sleep 400 

His shadowy pinions waved o'er mortal heads : 
Rufinus soon the needed influence courts, 
His sickly brain long press'd with toilsome care ; 
But scarcely had he sunk to slumber, ere 
Around the couch, his sleeping fancy sees 40.5 

Dire shapes and phantoms glide, the restless ghosts 
Of them his sword destroy 'd ; among their troop 
One loftier than the rest appear'd to move 
His pallid lips : " Rise from thine anxious bed, 
" Why dost thou meditate on idle fears ? 410 

" Arise ! the coming day to thee shall bring 
" Long wish'd-for eminence, and end thy toils. 
u Thou shalt become exalted ; joyous crowds 
" Attend to bear thee in triumphant state ! ? 
So spake the vision in ambiguous terms ; 415 

Whilst in the guileful oracle, deceived, 
Th' unconscious victim read not his own fall. 



151 

And now the morning star on H annus' hill 
His welcome radiance threw ; and Titan urged, 
To utmost speed, his swift and burning wheels, 420 

Impatient to behold Rufinus dead. 
Straight from his lofty couch the tyrant springs, 
And orders that his splendid courts be deck'd 
With regal pomp, and feast ; and bids them stamp 
His name upon the servile gold, to show'r 425 

Among the multitude. In kingly pride. 
And haughtier than his prince, he issues forth 
To welcome back the armies : studied grace, 
Luxurious dignity, his air displays ; 

As if the purple had already clothed 430 

His undeserving form, and burning gems 
Diffused their piercing lustre o'er his brow. 

South of the city lies a plain : the sea 
Each other side encircles. Bright in arms, 
And for revenge prepared, the legions here 4.15 

Display their ranks. The solid infantry, 



152 

The left ; the rapid horse possess'd the right, 

High mettled, champing on the bit. Gay plumes 

Disport upon the breeze, and steel-clad limbs 

Reflect each brilliant hue ; the flexile joints 440 

So skilfully the workman framed, that life 

Appear'd to animate each moving plate ; 

One would have thought that polish'd statues, dug 

From beds of solid ore, had fiercely breathed, 

And started into action : as the men, 445 

So were the steeds apparell'd ; iron capp'd, 

And ribb'd with mail. Their steady discipline 

The gazing crowd admire, in wonder mix'd 

With fear ; while as the wantou gale grew calm, 

The waving serpents droop'd upon the spears. 450 

Arcadius first the sacred standard greets; 
Rufinus follows, and in flatt'ring terms, 
Attempts his wonted guile ; their patriot zeal 
He praises, calls each soldier by his name, 
And welcomes their return with joyful news 455 



153 



Of parents, and of children safe. Meanwhile, 

As some were listening to his fraudful tongue, 

The wheeling flanks extend in circling lines ; 

Anon the field they compass, less'ning still 

The narrow circuit, till with bucklers join'd, 460 

They hem their victim in. So in green woods 

The hunter spreads his mazy toils around : 

So to the reedy shore the fisher hauls 

His timid, wond'ring prey, contracts his net, 

And snares his helpless captive. He, with hope 465 

Elate and ardent, sees not what the troops 

Intend : he grasps Arcadius' robe, condemns 

His long delay : he burns to mount the throne, 

And share the sceptre. — Suddenly the clash 

Of swords is heard, and thus a thund'ring voice 470 

Resounds : " On us, thou worst of slaves, on us 

" Wilt thou impose this bondage ? know'st thou not 

" Our deeds, our fame ? shall we, who far and wide 

" Freedom and laws dispensed, now brook thy chains ? 



154 

" Twice have we pass 1 d the Alps, victorious twice 475 
" O'er civil discord ; war hath taught us too 
" To crush a base usurper's tyranny ." 

Dread and amazement strike the traitor dumb : 
No refuge, no escape : on ev'ry side 
A grove of glitt'ring spears : astonish'd, pale, 480 

He trembles at the circling blaze of steel. 
So the wild tenant of the forest shade, 
Within th' arena brought, distracted stands ; 
The daring combatant provokes his ire, 
With jav'lin firmly fix'd, and bended knee, 4&S 

But, anxious and appall'd, the monster eyes 
The lofty theatre's extended rows, 
And wonders at the tumult loud and strange. 

Impetuous from the ranks a warrior breaks. 
With lifted blade, in speech and aspect stern — 490 

" Though by thine artifice repulsed, 'tis he, 
" 'Tia Stilicho who now inflicts this blow : 



155 

" Absent, he finds a sword to pierce thy heart." 

He speaks, and plunges in Rufinus' breast 

His gleaming falchion. Glory crowns the act 495 

That frees a weary world. Soon in his corse 

Each thirsting spear is fix'd, they rend his limbs ; 

A thousand jav'lins drink his guilty blood, 

Scorning to keep their brightness undistain'd. 

They mar his visage, and pluck out his eyes, 500 

Yet beaming life, and mangle all his shape ; 

His feet they lop, and from the well-knit joints 

The nervous shoulders part ; his broken spine, 

His bleeding heart, and panting entrails, torn, 

Declare the hatred that attends his name : 505 

Too poor a sacrifice their vengeance finds, 

Though all the field is sprinkled with his gore. 

So erst Aonia's hill was dyed with blood, 

When Bacchus' frantic rout in fury seized 

The Theban king who scorn'd their mystic rites, 510 

Or when, by stern Latona's ire transform 'd, 

Actason fled before th' unconscious pack. 



156 



O Fortune, when with such unlook'd for change, 
Thou visitest the wretch, unjustly bless'd, 
Say dost thou deem thy folly is excused ? 515 

How shall one life atone for thousands slain ? 
Divide his corse between the injured states, 
Let Thrace possess his head, the Greeks his trunk ; 
Yet are his limbs too few for all the rest. 

Now from the empty walls the people throng ; 520 
In glad security, the aged sires, 
The timid maids and joyful widows haste, 
And matrons, childless by Rufinus' sword ; 
O'er his remains they triumph, and in scorn 
Deep with the crimson hue of slaughter tinge 525 

Their trampling feet. His proud ambitious head, 
Uplifted on a spear, with fitting pomp 
They to the city bear, while showers of stones 
Assail its ghastly aspect ; and in sport 
His sever'd hand is made to sue for gold, 530 

From door to door, and grasp the glittering coin, 



157 

In imitative life, with sinews stretch'd, 
To mark the avarice that possess'd his soul. 

Let none henceforth in prosperous guilt confide, 
And think his gods secure. That courtly hand 535 

Which sought the regal sceptre, by the lips 
Of suppliant nobles press'd, torn from its corse, 
Unburied, seeks the vulgar charity ! 
Let him behold this sight whom Fortune's gale 
Exalts too high : he who so lately rear'd 540 

The lofty pyramid, and splendid walls, 
Gorgeous as temples, to adorn his tomb, 
A mangled form is trampled on the earth ! 
The famish'd vulture feeds upon those limbs 
Which claim'd the Tyrian purple ! worlds he grasp'd, 545 
Who finds not now the refuge of a grave ! 

The skies rejoice, the weary earth no more 
Beneath her burden groans ; and all the stars 
Fresh radiance pour as hell receives his shade : 



158 



Pale horror seizes on the sire of night, 550 

And howling Cerberus, while round him throngs 

Each wrathful ghost his former crimes oppress 'd, 

And drags him to the unrelenting judge. 

So when some swain attempts the golden hive, 

The clustering natives, on the plunderer's head, 555 

Settle in angry swarms, and dart their stings, 

And thickly load the air with hovering bands, 

To guard their honey and their waxen cells. 

There lies a spot where deep Cocytus joins 
The flood of Acheron, a mingled lake 560 

Of fire and penal tears. Beside the bank 
A lofty tower is placed, whose brazen walls 
The flaming torrent washes on the right, 
While sad Cocytus' melancholy waves 
Border the left. Here when their life is spent, 565 

The mortal race assembles ; every trace 
Of former pride, of earthly grandeur fades, 
And spoil'd of all his gaudy pageantry, 



159 



The humble monarch by the beggar stands. 

There high enthroned, in judgment Minos sits : 570 

Such as refuse his sway he straight consigns 

To sterner Rhadamanth, whose piercing eye 

Discerns each human act : fit punishment 

To vice he deals, and makes her votaries take 

Th' inglorious form of beasts. Such as in blood 575 

Delighted, now assume the shape of bears ; 

The robber howls a wolf ; the crafty fox 

Denotes the sons of fraud ; they who were drown'd 

In wine and luxury, and they who quench'd 

Their noble reason with intemperate lust 580 

Herd with the grovelling swine ; while such as tum'd 

From honor, and betray'd with babbling tongue 

Confided secresy, are doom'd to glide 

With finny oars among the lakes of hell, 

Perpetually mute. Degraded thus, 585 

The guilty suffer, thrice ten hundred years ; 

Till purged in Lethe's dark oblivious stream, 

Once more they are attired in human shape. 



160 

So dealing various woe, the wrathful judge 
At length beholds Rufinus in the gloom : 590 

To indignation moved, his kindling eyes 
Dart angry glances on the trembling shade, 
While his deep voice appals the vast profound. 

" Approach, unballow'd wretch, vile slave to gold, 
M Destroyer -of thy country's laws ! By thee 595 

f< The torch of civil discord was inflamed ; 
" Thy slaughtering hand hath choak'd the lakes of hell, 
" And wearied with abundant toil the oars 
" Of Charon. Hope not to disguise thy crimes ; 
" Behold thy bosom mark'd with sable spots, 600 

" Developing thy nature ! Anguish dire, 
" And sad variety of pain are thine ; 
" Over thy trembling head a rock shall hang 
" And threaten momentary fate ; the wheel 
n Shall lend its torture ; cooling rivers flow 605 

" Before thy sight, yet shun thy burning lip ; 
" The vulture, too, which rends the giant's side, 



161 



" Shall migrate from its food with frequent wing, 

" To tear thy baser heart. All these whom thus 

" Afflictions chasten, yield to thee in guilt ; 610 

" More daring than Salmoneus, more false 

'« Than Tantalus, and lawless in thy lust 

" As fierce Tityus : even if their vice 

" Were all concentrate in a single breast 

" Thine would exceed its sum. What punishment 615 

" Can match the whole, when half thy deeds demand 

" More than our utmost vengeance can inflict ? 

t€ Hence with thy hideous aspect ! wound no more 

" Our troubled sight ! — Ye furies urge him swift, 

" With scorpion lash, beyond th' abodes of night, 620 

" Beyond the realms of Erebus, and hurl 

" His hated being to th' abyss profound, 

" Below the Titan's gloom ; far, far beneath 

(( The depths of Hell and Chaos. There in pangs, 

(e His groaning spirit shall exist, as long &>5 



Claud. 



162 

" As glittering stars irradiate the pole, 

ci And summer breezes sweep the rocky shores." 



END OF RUFINUS. 



THE PH(ENIX, 



Beyond where India's scented gales arise, 

A blooming grove on ocean's bosom lies, 

A favor'd spot, where first Apollo pours 

His dewy lustre from Aurora's bow'rs, 

When, starting from the gates of morn, each steed, 5 

Before light's car, flames on with breathless speed, 

While swift on starry wheels, and pale with fear, 

Night urges on afar her lone career. 

The happy Phoenix in this blest retreat 
Builds his unrivaU'd, solitary seat, 10 



164 

And dwells secluded in the beauteous clime, 

Secure from injuries of chance or time ; 

Like some bright deity, o'er hill and vale, 

He fans with painted wings the odorous gale, 

While circling ages in their course admire, 13 

Fix'd as the spheres, his youth's unfading fire. 

His rich repast, nor fruits nor flowers compose, 

To quench his thirst, no crystal fountain flows ; 

More pure he feeds on day's etherial beams, 

And drinks the eool gale from the azure streams. 20 

His eyes the radiance of the sun betray, 

And glowing splendors round his visage play ; 

High on his front, a crest of meteor light 

Breaks with calm lustre through the shades of night ; 

His legs confess the Tyrian's venom-die, 23 

The Zephyrs' speed his swifter wings outvie ; 

Spangled with gold, and dipp'd in hues more fair 

Than Iris paints upon the humid ain 



165 



Miraculously sprung, no common birth 
Produced this wonder to the grateful earth ; 30 

Himself both sire and offspring, dying, lives, 
And death to him still new existence gives ; 
for when a thousand summers' scorching powers 
The plains have borne, a thousand winters' showers, 
As oft when dewy Spring has clothed the glade, S5 

And swains as oft reposed in Autumn's shade, 
Subdued at length he owns Time's heavier tread, 
J5ow'd with the weight of ages on his head. 
So on some mountain's top the lofty pine, 
With years and tempests worn, in slow decline 40 

Droops to the chilling rains, the stormy gales, 
While wasting age its trembling boughs assails. 

Now see, by slow degrees, his bloom decays, 
life's languid stream through frozen channels strays ; 
So veiFd in clouds, and fading on the sight, 45 

Pale Dian oft withdraws her silver light ; 



166 

Those soaring wings which cleaved the azure skies, 
Now weakly fluttering, scarce from earth can rise. 

Conscious of age, and studious to restore 
His sinking frame to youthful grace once more, 50 

He culls each arid flower of rich perfume, 
And, weaving with Sabaean plants his tomb, 
Ascends, the odorous pile ; then in sweet lay, 
Pour'd feebly forth, invokes the god of day, 
With lowly pray'rs, to dart his fiercest fire, 55 

And life, and youth at once to re-inspire. 
Him when Apollo from on high beholds, 
His course he stays, and thus his will unfolds : 
" O thou, whose tomb prepared, and feigned grave, 
" Exulting youth, and days more joyous crave, 60 

" Whom still from death I snatch, too fair a prey, 
u Whose being finds renewal in decay, 
" Resume thy wonted beauty ; I restore 
" Thy state, superior in its change !" — Nor more : 



167 



From his bright hair, the god a beaming tress 65 

Of waving gold bestows, of power to bless 

With life and vital heat ; the altar straight 

Consumes with fragrant fires ; welcomes his fate 

The royal bird, wrapp'd in the eager flame 

Whose ardent force soon wastes his aged frame. 70 

Meanwhile the frighted Moon her course controls, 
And on their tardy axle sleep the poles ; 
All Nature labors with the pregnant pyre, 
Fearing to see th' eternal bird expire ; 
The faithful flames around the altar curl'd, 75 

Haste to restore the glory of the world ; 
Soon through each part a fiery ardor glows, 
The veins once more a boiling tide o'erflows ; 
Warm life again the deathless shape illumes, 
And the rude embers change to brilliant plumes 5 SO 

True image of his sire, on wings of flame 
Starts to fresh life the son, in form the same : 



168 

Him so the next succeeds— the fiery tide 

Devours alone the barriers which divide 

One life exhausted, from an endless spring. $5 

Rejoicing now he hastes on duteous wing, 
To offer to the Nile, and god of day, 
The reliques of his ancient sire's decay ; 
Swiftly he speeds^ his flight to Egypt's tow'rs, 
With fun'ral gift enwrapp'd in leaves and flow'rs. 90 

Innumerable birds his train supply, 
And round their king thick airy squadrons fly ; 
No straying pinions from their duty bend, 
Though thousands on his fragrant course attend. 
Awed to mute reverence the famish'd kite, Q5. 

And Jove's own eagles tempt no more the fight. 

So leads some Parthian lord, by Tigris' side, 
In long array, a mix'd barbarian tribe ; 
Glowing in rich attire, the diamond's blaze 
With regal ornament the chief betrays ; 100 






169 

With golden rein, on steed of arching crest, 
In purple robes and crimson broider'd vest, 
Proudly he rides amid his vassal band, 
Supreme in pomp, and kingly in command. 

Onward in state to royal Thebes he flies, 105 

Through Egypt, famed for grateful sacrifice, 
Then to the glorious temple speeds apace, 
Whose sculptured walls an hundred columns grace ; 
There, as fame tells, each rite accustom'd paid, 
The kindred ashes of the bird are laid, 1 10 

While, grateful, he his patron-god adores, 
Prefers his hallow'd gift, and fire implores ; 
The rising flames the scented roof illume, 
And the rich altars breathe divine perfume ; 
Far o'er the distant lakes the Zephyrs fling 11,5 

Arabian odors from their dewy wing, 
And fragrant airs, more fresh than vernal rose, 
Steal on the shores where Nile majestic flows. 



170 

O truly happy, to thyself sole heir, 
Death gives thee strength, who bids all else despair ; 120 
Kindly renews thy youth's decaying flow'r, 
And bids the grave thy years alone devour. 
Time's annall'd rolls, of many an age o'erflown, 
Eventful chronicles, to thee are known. 
Thou saw'st what time, usurping new domains, 125 

The rushing seas o'erwhelm'd the fertile plains ; 
And mark'd by thee was that destructive day, 
When Phaeton's corse on earth disfigured lay. 
No slaught'ring hand thou fear'st, surviving sole, 
Though havoc stretches wide from pole to pole. 130 

Safe from the ruthless sisters' stern decree, 
In vain the Fates exert their pow'r on thee. 



THE PORCUPINE. 



Oft had I heard, and unbelieving still, 

Stymphale, of thy wond'rous birds who fill 

The air with arrows in their angry flight, 

From iron pinions shot ; but since my sight 

Has rested on the porcupine, no more & 

I nurse the doubts that I indulged before. 

i 

His lengthen'd snout claims kindred with the swine, 

His eager eyes with flames resplendent shine ; 

His horned front deceitful crops reveals, 

And dog-like limbs his bristly coat conceals. 10 



172 

Nor yet is this unsightly monster left, 

By careful Nature, of defence bereft : 

O'er his whole form, when war demands, he rears 

A wond'rous harvest of destructive spears, 

Adorn 'd with ebon spots, and varied light, 15 

And finely wrought in secret for the fight. 

Nor like the tamer hedge-hog are these arms 
Immoveable ; when threaten'd war alarms, 
In dark'ning showers he scatters them around ; 
Now like the Parthian see him fly and wound, 20 

Hurling his self-form'd missiles in the air ; 
Behold him now more artful war declare ; 
Like troops well disciplined, his grove of spears 
He clashes, and each kindred shaft uprears ; 
His frame with military ardor shakes, 25 

A rustling sound his native armour makes ; 
As hostile bands, who hear the trumpet's blast, 
Their rattling spears against each other cast ; 



Such rage within so small a compass lies. 

Nor is this animal more strong than wise ; 30 

In action calm, nor lavish of his store, 

Content to threaten, he attempts no more, 

Till life requires defence ; from error free, 

His dext'rous aim is sure ; neither does he 

On distant objects waste his subtle darts, 35 

But prudently delays his native arts, 

Nor plans attack till certain of success. 

To power like this let human skill confess 
Itself inferior ! See th' Arcadian horn 
From slaughter'd goats with eager fury torn, 40 

And bent with fire ; to stretch the nervous cord, 
The stately bull his entrails must afford ; 
The shaft a reed supplies, tipp'd with bright steel 
And wing'd with feathers : thus do we reveal 
By slow degrees what he from nature draws, 45 

Careless of foreign aid ; in him the laws, 



174 

The arts of warfare are at once combined, 
In him the quiver, shaft, and bow we find. 

If from example all our knowledge springs, 
If watchful industry perfection brings, 50 

Whoe'er first bade their arrows fly afar, 
And distant enemies engage in war, 
The valiant Cretan with unfailing bow, 
The Parthian dreadful to th' unwary foe, 
Own'd one instructor for their wily arts, 55 

The beast whom Nature thus has cased in darts 



THE TORPEDO. 



Who hath not heard the dire Torpedo's fame, 
The strength, the power, denoted in its name ? 
What though its form is tender, and its pace 
Scarce leaves upon the sands a languid trace, 
With subtle poison Nature arms its sides ; 
Throughout its frame a freezing influence glides, 
Which binds all life and heat in icy chains, 
And native winters dwell within its veins. 

To Nature, too, deceitful arts it owes ; 
The wond'rous gift, by her conferr'd it knows ; 10 



176 

On that relying, now it calmly lies 

Mid sea-weeds on the shore ; now see it rise, 

Rejoicing in success, and foully feed 

On living forms, unpunish'd for the deed. 

Perchance with careless and voracious haste, 15 

The clothed hook is in its jaws embraced ; 
Straight, it perceives the snare, nor seeks to fly, 
Nor succour from its sharpened teeth to try ; 
Upon its foe by slow degrees it creeps, 
And, though a captive, conscious freedom keeps ; 20 

Its poison'd influence through the water steals, 
Hangs on the pendent line, and soon reveals 
E'en to the distant fisherman its source ; 
The floating tackle feels its deadly force, 
The reeded knots dissolve ; the daring hand, £5 

Benumb'd and chill, renounces its command. 

Weary and sad the fisherman resigns 
At once his fractious captive, and his lines. 



ON THE STATUES 



OF THE 



PIOUS BROTHERS AT CATINA, 



&EE how the brothers with undaunted air, 

Their venerable burthens, panting, bear ! 

Eternal honors crown their deathless names, 

For whom in reverence ceased the eager flames, 

While iEtna bade his fiery streams recoil, 5 

Amazed to see the brethren's pious toil. 

Upon their willing shoulders, as in state, 
They place their parents, then, prepared for fate, 
With quicken'd steps urge on their daring way, 
Strew'd with fresh dangers through their fond delay. 10 
Claud, M 



173 

See how the sire points to the crimson'd skies ; 

The feeble mother utters mournful cries ! 

Actual their terrors, nor can life surpass 

The anguish mingled in the wond'ring brass. 

The aspect of the youthful pair involves 15 

A secret horror, mix'd with high resolves ; 

Themselves they know not fear, 'tis but for those 

They succour, that they tremble to oppose 

The flames ; their robes play with the wind ; and he 

Who bears his father, leaves his right hand free : 20 

More cautious he who clasps the weaker frame, 

A mother's fears his utmost firmness claim. 

Behold how exquisite the artist's skill ! 
Alike the brothers in their form, but still 
Their features differ ; in the one we trace 25 

His sire, the other boasts his mother's grace : 
The sculptor's art has blended various years, 
A parent in each blooming son appears : 



179 

O'er each fair Piety exerts her claim, 

And proves, at once, their birth, their love the same. SO 

O pride of Nature ! monuments of truth ! 
By Age revered, and deified by Youth ! 
Not by vain-glory, not by gold allured, 
To save your hoary parents ye endured 
The furious flames. Such virtue well might move 35 
Enceladus his torrents to reprove. 
E'en Mulciber himself, as if in fear 
Such bright examples might not tarry here, 
Restrain'd abundant iEtna, lest his course 
Should whelm them in its undiscerning force ; 40 

The earth assisted in their pious load, 
And breathing zephyrs cool'd the fiery road. 

But if love raised the twin-born stars to heav'n, 
If Fame ennobles him to whom 'twas given 
To snatch from Phrygian flames his aged sire, 45 

If glory gives to her immortal lyre 



180 



The sons who, duteous, dragg'd their mother's car, 

Shall she not sound in loudest strains afar, 

Divine Amphinomus, thy spotless name, 

And thine, O Anapus, as dear to fame ? 50, 

Each temple through Sicilia's isle shall bear 

The glorious record of an act so fair, 

Sicilia famed for many a virtuous deed 

Shall still assign to this the noblest meed. 

Nor let us then the loss of treasured store, 55 

Or towers and glittering palaces deplore ; 

The desolating flames that proudly rose 

O'er structured art, were destined to disclose 

The godlike virtues of the noble pair, 

And glory sprung from ruin and despair ! 60 



THE 



OLD MAN OF VERONA. 



How blest is he whose life's unvaried scene, 

On one paternal spot has pass'd serene ! 

The roof that shelter'd him in early years, 

A sacred refuge for his age appears ; 

While with his staff beside his peaceful door, 5 

He prints the sand whereon he crept before. 

Him fortune curses not with various life, 
Free from the merchant's toil, the soldier's strife ; 
Heedless of busy Rumor's mad reports, 
Far from the tedious din of wrangling courts, 10 



182 



Delighting in the pure and boundless skies 

He views the neighboring town with careless eyes. 

Not by new consulships he marks the year, 

But by the purple grape, the golden ear ; 

The spring by balmy gales, and opening flowers, 15 

The autumn by rich fruits, and changing bowers. 

To him the sun metes out the quiet day, 

With custom'd track, along th' etheriai way ; 

The giant oak which shades the vale below, 

He saw an acorn on its parent bough ; 20 

Beneath th' encreasing shadow of the grove, 

Coeval with himself, he loves to rove. 

By him unvisited, Verona's towers 

Are far remote as India's palmy bovvers ; 

And rough Benacus' angry waters roar, 2j 

Unheeded as the waves on Egypt's shore. 

Full many a year hath silver'd o'er his brow, 
And yet his limbs their youthly vigor show. 



183 

Let the vain traveller roam the world around 



And penetrate to earth's extremest bound, 30 

The varied scenes but transient pleasure give, 
Who learns to contemplate has learn'd to live. 



PREFACE TO THE POEM 



ON THE SIXTH 



CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS* 



In the calm hour of visionary night, 

How apt each image of the wakeful sense 

Throngs to the busy brain. The huntsman dreams 

Of circling nets, and woods well-stored with game ; 

The judge, of causes ; and the charioteer, $ 

With needless apprehension, strives to pass 

Th' unreal goal, and speeds his shadowy car ; 

The lover's fancy dwells on secrecy 

And stolen bliss ; the joyful merchant steers 

Some richly freighted bark o'er tranquil waves, 10 



185 

Whilst the pale miser, on his wakeful couch, 
Grasps at his fleeting gold : the fever'd wretch 
From fountains cool and pure, attempts to lave 
His burning lip with ineffectual streams. 

Me too, the Muse, when night upon the world, 15 

In silence deep, her mighty shadow spreads, 
Solicits to accustom'd thoughts ; for then 
In airy flight 1 seem to pierce the sky, 
So thick beset with stars, and at the feet 
Of heav'n's eternal sire, enwrapp'd in bliss 20 

Rehearse immortal lays, and, as the dream 
My fancy fires, the deities applaud, 
And list'ning spirits crown the golden lyre. 
The fate of stern Enceladus I sung, 

And huge Typhoeus ; one, Vesuvius chains 25^ 

Beneath its solid pressure, iEtna's hill 
Confines the other in dark burning caves. 
How joyous were the skies when Jove return'd, 
Victorious from the fight, bearing the spoils 



186 



Of each Phlegraean foe. — This sacred dream SO 

Came not from that false ivory portal, whence 

Unreal visions issue ; truth springs forth 

From airy fiction, for behold I sing 

To him who on earth's high Olympus sits, 

And to this chosen train, likest to gods : 35 

Nor can sleep picture to my absent mind 

A fairer scene, than these abodes of state, 

Equal in splendor to the courts above. 



FINIS. 



NOTES. 



THE 



BAPE OF PROSERPINE, 



BOOK I. 



Page 4, line 15. 
Of Athens' sacred temple, or Eleusis. 
The temple of Ceres at Eleusis was famous for solemn 
and mysterious festivals, in commemoration of the grief 
of Ceres for the loss of her daughter. 

Ibid, line 16. 
« The dragon yoke 



Alludes to the winged steeds of Triptolemus, who was 
probably represented in the celebration of the Eleusinian 
mysteries. 



190 

Ibid, line 24. 
Immortals, to whose wealth unlimited. 
The poet in this place, as well as in many others, seems 
to favor the Heraclitie philosophy, which asserts that 
nothing in Nature perishes entirely, and that death is 
only a temporary reduction of corporeal being to a more 
immaterial state, — this doctrine is more fully explained in 
the speech of Lachesis, p. 6, 1. 65 : — O god of night , fyc. 

Page 16, line 249. 
* where lozv, mournful, melodies. 



It has been fabled by the ancient poets that a kind of 
melodious utterance belonged to the Pine-tree. So Theo- 
critus in his first Idyll. 

'Alu tj to vf/^upicrjaa, xou a, 7tItv$ s unto\e, t^vol 
*A ttotj rule, 'jrocyoCio-t [Jt,e\l<TfcTCU. 

Goatherd, how sweetly on the list'ning ear, 
Steals the soft music of the murm'ring pine, 



191 

From yonder fountain cool ! 



The following origin is given to this circumstance :— 
Pithys was a nymph beloved by Boreas and Pan, but pre- 
ferring the latter, she was dashed against a rock by Boreas 
and killed. Upon the spot, marked by the sad incident, 
the Pine was first produced, which became the favorite 
tree of Pan, who loved to crown it with flowers, and to 
repose under its shade ; but as often as the breath of 
Boreas visited its leaves, the tree was heard to utter its 
complaint in melodious and expressive murmurings. 

Page 21, line 342. 
so ivory glows, 



When Lydian artists tinge its pearly hues 
With rich Sidonian dies. 
Gesner terms this an Homeric beauty, which the Romau 
poets were studious to emulate. Vide Homer, 11. v. 1. 
141. Virgil, in his Eneid, xn. 67. has most beautifully 



192 

employed the same image. Dryden also has copied it in 
his Indian Emperor. 



BOOK II. 

Page So, line 73. 
Cyan rose eminent o'er all the train. 
Cyan was the principal attendant on Proserpine. Her 
fate is fully described in Ovid v. 412. 

Ibid, line 83. 
Now E?ma, parent of sweet flowers. 
Cicero, after^ dwelling upon the popular belief of the 
Sicilians, respecting the sacredness of their island, as the 
former abode of Proserpine, and the residence of Ceres, 
thus describes the situation of the vale of Eima. " Enna 
autem, ubi ea, qua? dico, gesta esse memorantur, est loco 
praecelso, atque edito, quo in suramo est aequata agri plan- 
ities, et aquag perennes ; tota ver6 omni aditu circumcisa, 



193 

atque diremta est, quam circa lacus, lucique sunt plurimi, 
et lectissimi flores omni tempore anni : locus ut ipse rap- 
tum ilium virginis, quern jam a pueris accepimus, decla- 
rare videatur." 

Tlie plain of Enna, renowned for these memorable 
events, is a spot of peculiar and unrivalled beauty, its fields, 
smoother and more verdant than the finest lawns, are wa- 
tered by crystal streams perpetually murmuring through the 
shades. Entirely secluded, it is partly bordered by a 
spacious lake, and protected by the shelter of numerous 
groves ; choicest flowers, in never-failing abundance, 
throughout the whole year, are found within its delightful 
limits : it seems, indeed, as if the very place itself spoke 
aloud in witness of those tales, which from our infancy 
we have been instructed to receive, while in each whisper- 
ing breeze we fancy the voice of the goddess, inquiring 
and lamenting for her daughter. Cic. in Verr. 4. 48. 

Page 39, line 147. 

J rid pluck' d her far' rite grief-inwoven jlow'r. 

Claud. N 



194 

This favorite flower of Venus is the Anemone, which is 
fabled to have sprung from the earth, stained with the 
blood of Adonis. Vide Ovid. Met. 10. 728. 

Page 50. line 367. 
Within the bounds that Nature hath prescribed. 
It was supposed that the boundaries fixed to mutability 
extended no farther than the orbit of the moon, beyond 
which all things were changeless and eternal. Gesner. 

Page 53. line 427- 
now ' er t ne stream 



Of slow Avernus, birds rejoicing rise. 
Avernus > from *Aogvo$, without birds, so termed because 
its waters exhaled a vapour so noxious, that all that at- 
tempted to fly over it inevitably perished. 



195 



BOOK III. 



Page 63, line 83. 
although my mind 



Had been a womb to the betrayer. 
Alluding to Minerva. 

Page 78, line 372. 
She views her image in the crystal orb. 
It is conjectured that the hunter threw before his fero- 
cious pursuer a globe of glass, so prepared as to be 
capable of reflecting objects— by looking upon which, the 
tiger was deluded into the belief that, in the diminished 
reflection of her own form, she beheld her lost cub ; and, 
thus beguiled, she afforded her enemy an opportunity of 
escaping. Gesner. 

Page 79, line 392. 
ye should both 



Be worshipped in the Scythian's barb'rous fane. 



196 

Diana was worshipped in a temple in Tauris, upon the 
altars of which all strangers were immolated ; Ceres ex- 
claims that not Diana alone, but that Minerva likewise 
ought, henceforth, to be degraded by similar barbarous 
rites. 

Page 83. line 464. 
Near golden Acis, — • 



Acis, after being killed by Polypheme, was changed 
into a Sicilian stream. Vide Ovid. Met. 13, 750. 

Page 84. line 493. 
And Polypheme himself avoids the grove. 
Polypheme is represented by Euripides as a contemner 
of all religious observance. 



RUITNUS. 

BOOK I. 

Page 98, line 30. 
the vengeful doom 



That on Rufinus fell. 
Rufinus was an obscure native of Gaul, of considerable 
talents, but unequalled in dissimulation and vice ; he 
acquired many honorable and important employments at 
Constantinople, and at length became the chosen minister 
of the Emperor Theodosius, and likewise of his successors 

Honorius and Arcadius. 

Page 102, line 102. 
She gave the spear to Athamas. 
A king of Thebes who, inflamed with madness, slew his 
own son Learchus. 

Page 106, line 177. 
Ehsa's walls, 



Elusa, formerly the capital of Novempopulania, is now 
a small village in Gascony. 



198 

Page 109, line 230. 
The Cyanean isles, 



These islands or rocks, which terminate the straits of 
the Bosphorus, are represented by the poets to have been 
once floating upon the water. Gibbon observes that this 
deception was occasioned by several pointed rocks, alter- 
nately covered and abandoned by the waves. 

Ibid, line £37. 
A royal dome he enters 



The palace of Theodosius at Constantinople. 

Page 113, line 311. 
» no shores 



Are safe from his pursuit ; not Sirius fierce. 
Nor Winter howling o'er Riphean rocks, 
Retards his eagerness. 
Gibbon explains this allusion in the following narrative. 
ct Lucian, the son of the praefect Florentius, the oppressor 
of Gaul and the enemy of Julian, had employed a consi- 



199 

derable part of his inheritance, the fruit of rapine and cor- 
ruption, to purchase the friendship of Rufinus, and the 
high office of Count of the East. But the new magistrate 
imprudently departed from the maxims of the court, and 
of the times ; disgraced his benefactor, by the contrast of 
a virtuous and temperate administration ; and presumed to 
refuse an act of injustice, which might have tended to the 
profit of the Emperor's uncle. Arcadius was easily per- 
suaded to resent the supposed insult ; and the pragfect of 
the East* resolved to execute in person the cruel ven- 
geance, which he meditated against this ungrateful delegate 
of his power. He performed, with incessant speed, the 
journey of seven or eight hundred miles, from Constantin- 
ople to Antioch, entered the capital of Syria at dead of 
night, and spread universal consternation among a people, 
ignorant of his design, but not ignorant of his character. 
The Count of the fifteen provinces of the East was 
dragged, like the vilest malefactor, before the arbitrary 
tribunal of Rufinus. Notwithstanding the clearest evi-: 

* Rufinus. 



200 

dence of his integrity, which was not impeached even by 
the voice of an accuser, Lucian was condemned, almost 
without a trial, to suffer a cruel and ignominious punish- 
ment. The ministers of the tyrant, by the order, and in 
the presence, of their master, beat him on the neck with 
leathern thongs, armed at the extremities with lead ; and 
when he fainted under the violence of the pain, he was 
removed-in a close litter, to conceal his dying agonies from 
the eyes of the indignant city. No sooner had Rufinus 
perpetrated this inhuman act, the sole object of his expe- 
dition, than he returned, amidst the deep, but silent, curses 
of a trembling people, from Antioch to Constantinople. 
Gibbon's History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman 
Empire. Vol. 5, 145. 

Page 114, line SS2. 

But the high soul of Stilicho 

The minister and general of the Western empire, and 
the rival and enemy of Rufinus. 



201 

Page 118, line 400. 
In full revenge for brave Promotus slain. 
Promotus, the master-general of the infantry, had saved 
the empire from the invasion of the Ostrogoths ; but he 
indignantly supported the pre-eminence of a rival,* whose 
character and profession he despised ; and, in the midst 
of a public council, the impatient soldier was provoked 
to chastise with a blow the indecent pride of the favorite. 
This act of violence was represented to the Emperor as 
an insult, which it was incumbent on his dignity to resent. 
The disgrace and exile of Promotus were signified by a 
peremptory order, to repair, without delay, to a military 
station on the banks of the Danube ; and the death of that 
general, (though he was slain in a skirmish with the Bar- 
barians) was imputed to the perfidious arts of Rufinus. 

Gibbon, Vol. 5. c. xxix. 



Page 119, line 426. 
Wooed by the Persian's oar,- 

* Rufinus. 



202 



Mount Athos, which projects, like a mighty promont- 
ory into the iEgean sea, was dug through at its base, and 
rendered navigable by Xerxes, that his ships might avoid 
a more tedious and dangerous passage. 



BOOK II 



Page 126, liue 7. 
Thy great avenger* 



The poet alludes to Stilicho. 

- 

Page 129, line S. 

Th' imperial victor* 

The Emperor Theodosius. 

Page 132, line 68. 
That city, too y which, emulous of Rome, 
The city of Constantinople, the seat of the Roman 



203 

empire in the east, built upon the coast of Thrace, imme- 
diately opposite to the city of Chalcedon. 

Page 138, line 177. 
Thy brother wears 



Honorius, the Emperor of the west. 



Of purple snakes adorn' d- 



Page 140, line 221. 

■ with artful forms 



The standard of the Roman cohorts, from the time of 
Trajan, represented the figure of a large dragon or serpent, 
the head of which was ornamented with silver, the remain 
ing parts were composed of cloth or leather, and painted. 

Page 152, line 450. 
The waving serpents 



See the preceding note. 

Page 154, line 489. 



204 



Impetuous from the ranks- 



According to Zosimus, Gainas was the person wh* 
gave the signal for the death of Rufinus. 

Page 155, line 500. 
They mar his visage ■ 



These acts of barbarity are confirmed by the historian; 
Zosimus and Jerom. 



THE PHCENIX. 

Page 163, line 1. 
Beyond inhere India's scented gales a?ise. 
Milton alludes to this description in the following lines. 
In media rubri maris unda, et odoriferum ver, 
Littora longa Arabum, et sudantes balsama svlvae, 
Has inter Phoenix divina avis, unica terris, 
Cceruleum fulgens diversicoloribus alis, 



205 

Auroram vitreis surgentem respicit undis. 

Epitaphium Damonis, line 185. 
The red sea waves adorn the middle part, 
And Araby's long shores, Spring decks the ground, 
And od'rous woods breathe forth balsamic sweets ; 
And lone immured in these wild retreats, 
The Phoenix lifts her solitary wing, 
Of hues etherial wove, 
And from the bosom of her tufted grove 
Beholds Aurora from the ocean spring. 



THE PORCUPINE. 

Page 171, line 2. 
Stymphale, of thy wond'rous birds- 



The lake Stymphale, in Arcadia, was infested by a fierce 
and destructive race of harpies ; they were destroyed by 
Hercules. 



206 

ON THE STATUES OF THE PIOUS 
BROTHERS. 

Page 177. 
The town of Catina, in Sicily, has frequently suffered 
from the eruptions of Mount JEtna. At one of those 
periods, when the town was in flames, and threatened by 
streams of burning lava, two young men, named Amphi- 
noraus and Anapus, delayed their flight from the town, 
and risked their lives, to save their aged parents, whom 
they brought away upon their shoulders. The statues, 
which the poet describes, were erected by the inhabitants 
to commemorate the event. 

Page 130, line 47. 

The sons who, duteous, dragg'd their mother's car. 

After attesting the renown of Castor and Pollux, and 

of iEneas, Claudian refers to the fame of Cleobis and 

Biton, the sons of the priestess of Juno at Argos, who, 

when oxen could not be procured, yoked themselves to 



207 

their mother's chariot, and drew it to the temple. The 
goddess was implored to reward them with the best gift 
that Heaven could bestow upon mortality : — after having 
feasted themselves they retired to rest, and in the morning 
they were found dead. 



ON THE SIXTH CONSULSHIP OF 
HONORIUS. 



-the huntsman dreams 



Of circling nets, and woods well-stored with game, 

The judge, fyc. 
Shakespeare, in a similar train of thought, describes the 
operations of Queen Mab upon the sleeping fancy. 

she gallops night by night 

Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love : 
On courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straight : 
O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream of fees : 



208 

O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream ; 



Sometimes she gallops o'er a courtier's nose, 
And then he dreams of smelling out a suit : 
And sometimes comes she with a tithe-pig's tail, 
Tickling a parson's nose as 'a lies asleep, 
Then dreams he of another benifice : 
Sometimes she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, 
And then he dreams of cutting foreign throats, 
Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades, 
Of healths five fathom deep ; and then anon 
Drums in his ear ; at which he starts and wakes ; 
And being thus frighted, swears a prayer or two, 
And sleeps again. 

Romeo and Juliet. 



THE END OF THE NOTES. 



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